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.

Open before, although she wasn’t pleased with those results.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 4, 2026

There's a slightly pregnant pause when I ask Gleit what Zuckerberg is like as a boss, before she settles on "awesome".

From BBC • Jun. 4, 2026

These tools can bite before the market fully understands what is happening.

From MarketWatch • Jun. 4, 2026

Mr. Clinton pardoned him before Justice could finalize an agreement in which he would plead guilty to a misdemeanor and pay a $5,000 fine.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 4, 2026

We don’t have a lot of time before the bell rings, but I’m curious, so I ask Rue, “Did you see the videos?”

From "Split the Sky" by Marie Arnold

before

Example Sentences

Related Words