before

Pronunciation

• (UK) enPR: bĭfôʹ, IPA ^(key): /bɪˈfɔː/
• (US) enPR: bəfôrʹ or bēfôrʹ, IPA ^(key): /bəˈfɔr/ or /biˈfɔr/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

• Hyphenation: be‧fore

Preposition

Preposition before

1. If $x$ happens before $y$, $x$ happens first and $y$ happens second.
   • Antonym: after

   He worked in a gas station before he became famous.

   Put out the fire before the house burns down.

   I have not been there before.

   She finished before me.

2. in front of something
   • Antonym: behind

   She stood before him, looking into his eyes.

3. until

   It took a few moments before I realized that she was joking.

Usage notes

The preposition before can be preceded by a modifier specifying the length of time that has gone by. For example:

• Haroun's journey to England had begun many years before.

Related words

• fore