What does before mean?
Before is one of the most fundamental function words in English, serving as a preposition, adverb, and conjunction to express the idea of precedence in time, place, or order. As a preposition, it marks an earlier point relative to an event: "before dawn," "before the war." As a conjunction, it links clauses: "lock the door before you go." As an adverb, it means previously: "we've spoken before." Beyond time, it can indicate physical position — standing before a crowd — or figurative subordination, as in appearing before a judge. The word carries no emotional connotation itself but structures narrative and instruction everywhere, making it indispensable to clear communication. Its longevity is remarkable: it descends directly from Old English "beforan," preserving a Germanic root shared with "fore," "first," and related words across languages.
Earlier than a particular time, event, or point in a sequence.
"Wash your hands before you eat."
In front of someone or something in space, rank, or importance.
"He bowed before the king."
At an earlier time; previously.
"Have we met somewhere before?"
Earlier than the time when a stated event occurs.
"Call me before you leave the office."
"Before" is one of the oldest words in English — its root goes back over a thousand years to Old English "beforan," and its cousins "fore" and "forth" still live on in words like "foresee" and "forward."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of before
Before comes from Old English "beforan," formed from the prefix "be-" plus "foran," the dative of "fore," meaning "front" or "before." It has been in continuous use since the earliest recorded English, with cognates in other Germanic languages such as German " bevor." The same ancient root gives us "fore," "foremost," "former," and "forth," all expressing ideas of frontness or priority.
Related word forms
How before is actually used
In formal American usage, some style guides once frowned on ending sentences with "before" as an adverb, but this is fully accepted in modern English. In informal speech, "before" can introduce a clause without "that": "Say it again before I forget." British and American usage are essentially identical for this word.
Easily confused with before
"Before" is primarily a preposition or conjunction meaning earlier than something, while "beforehand" is an adverb meaning in advance, used alone without an object.