Definition and meaning of English word "before"
before
/ˈbɪfɔːr/
Meaning
PrepositionEarlier than (in time).
How to use
The preposition 'before' indicates a preceding event. A common learner mistake is confusing 'before' with 'after'. For example, 'I will meet you before the meeting' rather than 'I will meet you after the meeting'.
🇬🇧 English
before
Example
I'll call you before I go to bed.
I'll meet you before the movie starts.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- before long— Before long
- beforehand— Beforehand
- the day before— The day before
More Connectors & Prepositions words
This concept in other languages
Frequency rank: #467 in English
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does the English word "before" mean?▼
The English word "before" means "before" in English.
How do you pronounce the English word "before"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "before" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "before"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "I'll call you before I go to bed." (which translates as "before").
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