beyond

Saybee-YOND/biˈ(j)ɑnd/UK/bɪˈjɒnd/

13 meanings of beyond

1
preposition
On or to the far side of something; farther away than a given point, place, or distance.
A narrow valley opened up beyond the ridge we had climbed.
The customs checkpoint sits beyond the river that marks the border.
2
more thanpreposition
Greater than a limit or measure; so as to exceed or surpass it.
The project's demands grew beyond the team's capacity to deliver on time.
His generosity extended beyond anything his colleagues had expected.
UsageOften after go, grow or extend, and before what + a clause: go beyond the rules, beyond what they could afford.
Similarabove
Oppositewithin
3
besidespreposition
Besides a particular thing; in addition to it, so that something more is added on top of it.
The grant covers tuition, and beyond that, a modest living stipend.
Beyond his teaching duties, the professor advises three doctoral students.
UsageOften opens a sentence: beyond that, or beyond + a noun, meaning on top of it.
Similarbesides
4
prepositionfiguratively
Past the point of reach or remedy; out of reach of some action or effect.
The old factory had decayed beyond any hope of restoration.
Once the deadline passed, the matter was beyond the committee's authority.
UsageMost often in set phrases: beyond repair, beyond help, beyond our control, beyond doubt.
Similarpast
Oppositewithin
5
adverb
Farther away, past a place already mentioned or in view; on into the distance.
From the lookout we could trace the coastline and the islands scattered beyond.
The path led to a clearing, and a dense forest rose beyond.
UsageAs an adverb it usually ends the phrase, with no noun after it: the islands beyond.
6
preposition
Later than a particular time, date, or age; past it.
The shop stays open beyond the usual closing hour during the holidays.
Few of the original founders remained beyond the company's first decade.
Similarpast, after
Oppositebefore
7
and onwardadverb
Into the period that follows a stated time or stage; on into the future from then.
The city's budget plan sets out spending through 2030 and beyond.
Her songs stayed popular well into the 1970s and beyond.
UsageUsually in and beyond, after a time or stage: 2030 and beyond, high school and beyond.
Similarafter, thereafter
8
adverb
As well; besides, adding something more to what has just been said rather than going further in space or time.
They wanted a steady income and a quiet home, and nothing beyond.
He asked only for a fair wage and sought nothing beyond.
UsageUsually after nothing, little or not much: nothing beyond, little beyond.
Similarbesides
9
past understandingprepositionfiguratively
Outside the limits of someone's understanding or comprehension.
The technical evidence about DNA testing was beyond most of the jurors.
How the ancient builders moved such stones is still beyond modern explanation.
UsageOften with a person after it: it's beyond me means I can't understand it.
10
extremelyadverbcolloquial
Extremely; to a degree more than usual or expected.
The fans were beyond thrilled when the band announced a reunion tour.
After three delayed flights and a lost suitcase, we were beyond tired by the time we finally got home.
UsageGoes straight before an adjective, often a feeling: beyond thrilled, beyond tired. Stronger than very, and casual in tone.
Similarextremely, highly, immensely, intensely, exceedingly

Less common meanings

11
afterlifenoununcountable
Existence or life after death; the hereafter.
The funeral hymn spoke of a peaceful rest in the beyond.
Ancient burial rites prepared the dead for their passage into the beyond.
UsageUsed with the, often after into or in, or as the great beyond: pass into the beyond.
Similarafterlife, hereafter
12
unknown worldnoununcountable
Whatever is unknown or unexplored; the mysterious world outside what people have experienced or mapped.
Explorers have always felt the pull of the beyond, where no map yet reaches.
Early mapmakers, knowing nothing of the beyond, filled the blank edges of their charts with sea monsters.
Similarunknown
13
nouncountable
A distant region; something lying far off in the remote distance.
From the top of the ridge, the wheat fields rolled on for miles and disappeared into the hazy beyond.
The ship's lights grew smaller and smaller until they vanished into the dark beyond.
UsageUsually the + an adjective: the hazy beyond, the dark beyond.
Similardistance

Practice

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

Origin

Old English beġeondan, built from be- and ġeond, became Middle English biyonde. 'Yonder' is a relative.