before

bee-FOR/bɪˈfɔɹ/UKbee-FAW/bɪˈfɔː/

13 meanings of before

1
sooner (time)preposition
Earlier than a time or event, as in 'before Monday'.
Think of it like the carriage ahead of yours on a train: it reaches the station first.
Please send me the report before Friday afternoon.
Wash your hands before dinner.
UsageBefore Friday means earlier than Friday. By Friday means Friday is still OK.
Oppositeafter
Note
2
conjunction
Earlier than the time when something happens, as in 'before you go'.
Turn off the lights before you leave the office.
Think before you speak.
UsageFor the future, use the present after it: before you go (not ~~incorrect: before you will go~~).
Oppositeafter
3
previouslyadverb
At an earlier time, as in 'I've never done this before'.
I have never done this before.
Have we met before?
UsageUse ago to count back from now: two days ago. Use before to count back from another time.
Similarpreviously
Oppositeafter
Note
4
in front ofpreposition
In front of, in a formal style, as in 'he stood before me'.
He stood before me in silence.
We sat before the fire to get warm.
UsageIn everyday talk, say in front of.
Oppositebehind
Note
5
preposition
In the presence of a person or group, as in 'speak before Congress'.
He was nervous about singing before so many people.
She performed before a crowd of thousands.

Less common meanings

6
up for judgmentpreposition
Being judged or decided by, as in 'the case before the court'.
The case before the panel was dismissed.
The matter is now before the committee.
UsageOften come before or be brought before a court or a group that decides.
Note
7
earlier photonouncountable
How something looked or was before a change, especially in before-and-after pictures.
The befores show the kitchen as it was.
In the before, the garden is a wilderness.
UsageUsually paired with after, as in the before and the after or the befores and afters.
Oppositeafter
Note
8
preposition
More important than, as in 'safety before speed'.
They put profit before quality.
Family comes before work for her.
UsageYou can put one thing before another, or say one thing comes before another.
Similarabove, over
Note
9
ahead in a listpreposition
Earlier in a list or order, as in 'cat comes before dog'.
The letter B comes before C in the alphabet.
Her name is listed before mine.
Oppositeafter
10
still to comepreposition
Still to come in someone's future, as in 'your life is before you'.
With summer before us, the kids made a long list of fun plans.
A long journey lay before them.
UsageOften lie before or be before someone: a long trip lay before them.
Note
11
rather thanconjunctioncolloquial
Rather than, in casual speech, as in 'I'd die before I'd tell'.
I'll die before I tell you anything.
She would starve before she asked him for money.
UsageHere you can say before I'd or before I'll: I'd walk before I'd pay.
Note
12
nounrarecountable
The past, as a noun, in poetry, as in 'all the befores'.
We talk about all the befores. The stupid things we did. The funny things. The times she made us laugh.
2011, Mary E. Pearson, The Fox InheritanceHere, befores means things in the past, the times that happened earlier.
Similarpast
Oppositeafter
Note
13
adverbliterary
In front or ahead of others.
The guide went before, holding a lantern to light the narrow path.
A servant walked before, carrying a lamp to light the path.
Similarahead
Oppositebehind
Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of before apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

This word comes from Old English beforan, made from be- and foran meaning 'before'. It goes back to an old root meaning 'front'.

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 4 facts

Before comes from Old English beforan. en.wiktionary.org
Old English beforan was formed from be- and foran. en.wiktionary.org
Old English foran means 'before'. en.wiktionary.org
Before ultimately derives from a root meaning 'front'. en.wiktionary.org