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.

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before

Haden was raised in San Diego and graduated from University City High before obtaining his bachelor’s degree in political science from Stanford University.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 29, 2026

Unlike Maria, Brittany Lamm doesn't box breathe before she goes to sleep but does so after waking up.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

For drugmakers, a clock starts before a drug is even approved: Patents run out, lower-priced copycats flood in and sales collapse.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 29, 2026

More than one in five voters had already cast their ballots in early voting before Saturday, according to Iceland's public broadcaster RUV.

From BBC ● Aug. 29, 2026

“You seen the pitcher fall before it actually fell, Lala?”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

before

Example Sentences

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