51Թ

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View synonyms for

before

[bih-fawr, -fohr]

preposition

  1. previous to; earlier or sooner than.

    Phone me before noon.

  2. in front of; ahead of; in advance of.

    his shadow advancing before him;

    She stood before the window.

  3. ahead of; in the future of; awaiting.

    The golden age is before us.

  4. in preference to; rather than.

    They would die before surrendering.

  5. in precedence of, as in order or rank.

    We put freedom before wealth.

  6. in the presence or sight of: to appear before an audience.

  7. less than; until: used in indicating the exact time.

    It's ten before three.

  8. under the jurisdiction or consideration of.

    He was summoned before a magistrate.

  9. confronted by; in the face of.

    Before such wild accusations, he was too stunned to reply.

  10. in the regard of.

    a crime before God and humanity.

  11. under the overwhelming influence of.

    bending before the storm.

  12. without figuring or deducting.

    income before deductions.



adverb

  1. in front; in advance; ahead.

    The king entered with macebearers walking before.

    Antonyms: ,
  2. in time preceding; previously.

    If we'd known before, we'd have let you know.

    Antonyms: ,
  3. earlier or sooner.

    Begin at noon, not before.

    Antonyms:

conjunction

  1. previous to the time when.

    Send the telegram before we go.

  2. sooner than; rather than.

    I will die before I submit.

before

/ ɪˈɔː /

conjunction

  1. earlier than the time when

  2. rather than

    he'll resign before he agrees to it

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

preposition

  1. preceding in space or time; in front of; ahead of

    standing before the altar

  2. when confronted by

    to withdraw before one's enemies

  3. in the presence of

    to be brought before a judge

  4. in preference to

    to put friendship before money

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. at an earlier time; previously; beforehand; in front

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of before1

First recorded before 1000; Middle English beforen, Old English beforan, equivalent to be by + foran “before” ( fore fore 1 + -an adverb suffix)
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of before1

Old English beforan ; related to Old Frisian befara , Old High German bifora
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Idioms and Phrases

In addition to the idioms beginning with before, also see cart before the horse; cast pearls before swine; look before you leap.
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

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"We need to bin the Energy Profits Levy and lift the ban on new licences - before it's too late."

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