before

CEFRA1

/bɪˈfɔː/

adverb · preposition

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adverb

    earlier in time; previously.

  2. 02

    adverb

    Extra detail

    In front of in space.

Examples

  • "Haven't we met somewhere before?" asked the student.

  • There will always be things I will never learn, I don't have eternity before me!

At a glance

Sits at A1 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
2
Citations
5
Synonyms
5

Also pronounced

  • /biˈfoɹ/
  • /bɪˈfoɹ/

Deep Dive

adverb

Extra meaning

  1. In the presence of.

preposition

Extra meanings

  1. Earlier than (in time).

  2. Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).

More examples

In context

  • You should have told me so before.

  • We sat before the fire to warm ourselves.

  • I want this done before Monday.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

Please finish your homework blank you turn on the television.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adverb

Old English beforan Middle English bifore English before Inherited from Middle English before /bifore, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran (“before”), from fore, from Proto-Germanic *furai, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“front”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian befoar (“before”), German Low German bevör (“before”), German bevor (“before”).