before

[bih-fawr, -fohr] / bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /

ADVERB

earlier

Synonyms

STRONGEST

ahead back previously since sooner

WEAK

afore aforetime ante antecedently anteriorly before present ere fore former formerly forward heretofore in advance in days of yore in front in the old days in the past past precendently previous up to now

Antonyms

WEAK

after afterward behind later

PREPOSITION

earlier than

Synonyms

STRONGEST

since

WEAK

ahead of ante antecedent to anterior to ere in advance of in front of preceding previous to prior to

Antonyms

WEAK

after afterward behind later

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

“I know it hasn’t been done before. It’s not how things are normally done,” he said.

From Los Angeles Times

He draws parallels with Zimbabwe's former President Robert Mugabe, who clung to power into his 90s before being removed by the military.

From BBC

Long before Vijay launched his party, his cinema had thus already done the ideological groundwork.

From BBC

However before they became available, many people were dubious.

From Barron's

With EEG technology, "you can pick these things up before you actually see physical symptoms of them. And this is just one example."

From Barron's