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.

Wait until the last possible moment before the deadline to make transfers to benefit from the latest information.

From BBC

Liverpool also spent £125m on someone who was a bench striker before he got injured.

From BBC

He added he would decide on his future before the start of free agency on 11 March, giving the Chiefs time to prepare for the 2026 season.

From BBC

England's trip to Noosa was planned a year before the Ashes tour and went ahead despite the tourists falling 2-0 down inside two Tests.

From BBC

Long before Christmas turkeys arrived shrink-wrapped in the shops, they walked to market on their own two feet.

From BBC