beyond

Saybee-YOND/biˈ(j)ɑnd/UK/bɪˈjɒnd/

13 meanings of beyond

1
preposition
On the other side of something, or farther away than a certain place.
Like standing on the far side of a fence from where you are now.
The bakery is just beyond the old stone bridge.
They built their cabin in the woods beyond the lake.
2
more thanpreposition
More than a limit or amount, greater than it.
The repair cost rose beyond what they could afford.
Her kindness goes beyond simple good manners.
UsageOften after go or grow: go beyond the limit, beyond what we can pay.
Similarabove
Oppositewithin
3
besidespreposition
As well as something else, on top of it.
The job offers good benefits beyond the base pay.
Beyond cooking, she also keeps the family accounts.
UsageOften starts a sentence: beyond that means on top of that.
Similarbesides
4
prepositionfiguratively
Past the point where something can be helped, fixed, or controlled.
By the time the doctor came, the man was beyond help.
Some things in life are simply beyond our control.
UsageOften in phrases like beyond help, beyond repair and beyond our control.
Similarpast
Oppositewithin
5
adverb
At or to a place farther along or farther away.
A small house stood by the field, with open hills beyond.
He reached the gate and saw the orchard stretching beyond.
UsageIt can end a phrase with no noun after it: the hills beyond.
6
preposition
Later than a certain time, or after it.
The meeting ran beyond midnight.
Guests cannot stay beyond Sunday afternoon.
Similarpast, after
Oppositebefore
7
and onwardadverb
At a later time or stage than the one named, and going on after it.
The coach wants the team to keep winning this season and beyond.
These skills will help you in high school and beyond.
UsageUsually in and beyond after a time: this year and beyond.
Similarafter, thereafter
8
adverb
As well, or more than what was already said.
They offered the basic package and little beyond.
We had enough money for rent and food, but not much beyond.
UsageUsually after nothing, little or not much: nothing beyond.
Similarbesides
9
past understandingprepositionfiguratively
Too hard for someone to understand.
The advanced math was completely beyond me.
Why he quit such a good job is beyond us.
UsageIt's beyond me means I can't understand it.
10
extremelyadverbcolloquial
Very much, more than you would expect.
The sunset over the bay was beyond beautiful.
She was beyond tired after the double shift.
UsagePut it before a word like tired or happy: beyond tired. It means more than very.
Similarextremely, highly, immensely, intensely, exceedingly

Less common meanings

11
afterlifenoununcountable
Life after death.
Many people believe the soul travels into the beyond.
She found comfort in the idea of meeting loved ones in the beyond.
UsageSay the beyond, often after into: go into the beyond.
Similarafterlife, hereafter
12
unknown worldnoununcountable
The unknown world or region far away.
Leaving her small town felt like stepping into the beyond.
The probe drifted off into the silent beyond of deep space.
Similarunknown
13
nouncountable
A faraway place lying in the distance.
From the cliff they gazed at the misty beyond.
The dusty road wound off toward the empty beyond.
UsageUsually the + a describing word: the misty beyond.
Similardistance

Practice

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Origin

From Old English, made from be- plus a word meaning 'over there'. It is related to 'yonder'.

Checked 5 Nov 2026 · 4 facts

Beyond comes from Old English. en.wiktionary.org
The Old English word was formed with be-. en.wiktionary.org
The other component, ġeond, meant 'over there'. lrc.la.utexas.edu
Beyond is etymologically related to yonder. en.wiktionary.org