Before Definition

bĭ-fôr
adverb
Earlier in time.
They called me the day before.
American Heritage
In advance; in front; ahead.
Webster's New World
In front; ahead.
American Heritage
In the past; previously.
I've heard that song before.
Webster's New World
At an earlier time; sooner.
Come at ten, not before.
Webster's New World
Antonyms:
preposition
Previous to in time; earlier than.
American Heritage
Ahead of in time, space, order, rank, or importance.
Webster's New World
In front of.
American Heritage
Located just to the front of.
He paused before the door.
Webster's New World
In store for; awaiting.
The young man's whole life lies before him.
American Heritage
Antonyms:
conjuntion
Earlier than the time that.
Drop in before you go.
Webster's New World
Rather than; sooner than.
I will die before I will betray my country.
American Heritage
Sooner than; rather than.
I'd die before I'd tell.
Webster's New World
In advance of the time when.
Wiktionary

(informal) Rather or sooner than.

Wiktionary

Origin of Before

  • From Middle English (adverb and preposition), from Old English beforan, itself from be- + foran 'before' (from fore)

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English bifore from Old English beforan per1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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