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beyond

prep. · adv. · n.
US //ˌbiˈɔnd// UK //bɪjˈɒnd// be·yond
  1. 1 further away (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    on the far side of something or further away than something.

    on the further side of a physical boundary or at a greater distance than a specified point.

    Example

    The small village lies just beyond those mountains.

    Example

    The explorers pushed deep into the valley, eventually discovering a hidden waterfall located just beyond the dense treeline.
  2. 2 later than (prep.)
    B1 Intermediate

    later than a particular time.

    past a specific point in time or continuing after a deadline.

    Example

    It is rare for the shop to stay open beyond 6:00 PM.

    Example

    The negotiations continued well beyond midnight as both parties struggled to reach a compromise before the morning deadline.
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  1. 3 exceeding a limit (prep.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    more than something, or outside the limits of what is possible or known.

    exceeding a particular amount, level, or capacity; often used to describe things that are impossible to understand or achieve.

    Example

    The beauty of the sunset was beyond words.

    Example

    The complexity of the quantum physics lecture was far beyond the comprehension of the introductory-level students.
  2. 4 further away (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    further away or further along.

    at or to a point further away or more distant.

    Example

    From the hilltop, we could see the ocean and the islands beyond.

    Example

    The map showed the main road ending at the river, but the trail clearly continued into the woods beyond.
  3. 5 extremely (adv.)
    C1 Advanced Informal

    very much or extremely.

    to a degree that exceeds normal limits; used as an intensifier.

    Example

    The new restaurant is expensive, but the food is beyond good.

    Example

    The athlete's performance during the championship was beyond impressive, breaking three world records in a single afternoon.

    Usage

    In this sense, 'beyond' is often followed by an adjective to emphasize a quality.
  4. 6 the unknown or afterlife (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary

    the unknown, or the life that some people believe happens after death.

    the unknown future or the state of existence after death; usually preceded by 'the'.

    Example

    Many cultures have different stories about what happens in the great beyond.

    Example

    The poet spent his final years contemplating the mysteries of the great beyond and the legacy he would leave behind.
    • here and now
Origin

From Middle English biyonde, from Old English beġeondan, from be- + ġeond; related to yonder.

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