# beforehand

/bɪˈfɔɹˌhænd/ (US) · /bɪfˈɔːhænd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/beforehand
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. in advance

adverb · CEFR B1

before a particular time or event happens.

For teachers: at an earlier or preceding time; in anticipation of a specific event.

- If you want to come to the party, please let me know beforehand.
- The organisers requested that all participants submit their dietary requirements beforehand to ensure the catering staff could prepare accordingly.

Usage: Usually placed at the end of a clause or after the verb.

### 2. ahead of others

adjective · CEFR C2 · Archaic

being early or ahead of someone else in doing something.

For teachers: being in a state of anticipation or having done something in advance of others.

- He was always beforehand with his work, finishing every task before the deadline.
- In those days, a diligent clerk was expected to be beforehand with his accounts to avoid any suspicion of negligence.

Teaching tip: This adjectival use is rare in modern speech; learners should use 'ahead of schedule' or 'prepared' instead.

## Examples

- I booked the tickets beforehand to get a better price.
- The chef prepared all the ingredients beforehand so the dinner service would run smoothly once the guests arrived.
- While some prefer to improvise during a presentation, most professionals find that researching the audience beforehand allows for a much more tailored and persuasive delivery.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.