- earlier than somebody/something
- before lunch
- the day before yesterday
- The year before last he won a gold medal, and the year before that he won a silver.
- She's lived there since before the war.
- He arrived before me.
- She became a lawyer as her father had before her.
- Leave your keys at reception before departure.
- Something ought to have been done before now.
- We'll know before long (= soon).
- Turn left just before (= before you reach) the bank.
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- used to say that somebody/something is ahead of somebody/something in an order or arrangement
- Your name is before mine on the list.
- He puts his work before everything (= regards it as more important than anything else).
- (rather formal) used to say that somebody/something is in a position in front of somebody/something
- They knelt before the throne.
- Before you is a list of the points we have to discuss.
- used to say that something is facing somebody in the future
- The task before us is a daunting one.
- The whole summer lay before me.
- in the presence of somebody who is listening, watching, etc.
- He was brought before the judge.
- She said it before witnesses.
- They had the advantage of playing before their home crowd.
- (formal) used to say how somebody reacts when they have to face somebody/something
- They retreated before the enemy.
Word OriginOld English beforan (see by, fore), of Germanic origin; related to German bevor.
Check pronunciation:
before