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Definition of beforehand

beforehand

/bɪˈfɔːrˌhænd/
be · fore · hand
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beforehand Lexical Profile

beforehand Game Scores & Validity

• adverb

1

Before an action or event; in advance.

Example

"Please let the organizers know beforehand if you have any dietary restrictions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• adjective

1

Prepared, provided, or situated in advance of a particular time or event (used predicatively).

Example

"By setting aside a portion of the harvest each autumn, the village was always beforehand with its winter provisions."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for beforehand

• Nearby Words

befitting
befittingly
before
beforehand
befoul
befriend
befriender

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed in Middle English as the prepositional phrase "biforen hond" (literally "before the hand"), originally used to mean in anticipation or ahead of time.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Beforehand. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/beforehand
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