before

[bih-fawr, -fohr] / bɪˈfɔr, -ˈfoʊr /

Part of Speech:

All (2) Adverb (1) Preposition (1)

Jump To:

earlier adv.
earlier than prep.

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.

See Examples For:

before

A documentary following the band's 2025 reunion tour, featuring their first interviews together since before they split in 2009, will release in September.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

"It slows you down and you get to see places you just wouldn't see in a car. We've seen places we just never would have dreamed of stopping at before."

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

The victims were receiving medical care at a military site before being reunited with their families.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

Plant though had to leave before the game ended, and because Walker was at the time, he was declared the winner.

From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026

I’ve made the mistake of missing his deadlines before, and he knocked on my door at one in the morning and made me get up to do the work.

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

before

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

Related Words