Definition Synonyms
Definition of before - Reverso English Dictionary
Preposition
1.
timeearlier than a specific time or event
- We need to finish the project before Monday.
2.
orderpreceding in a formal order
- B comes before C in the alphabet.
3.
positionin front of something in space
- The car stopped before the traffic light.
4.
authorityRare in the presence of someone importantRare
- She performed before the king.
Conjunction
1.
timeindicating earlier time than another event
- She finished her homework before she went out to play.
2.
conditionRare indicating a condition that must be met firstRare
- You must finish your dinner before you can have dessert.
Adverb
1.
timeat an earlier time or occasion
- She had visited the museum before.
2.
advancein advance or ahead of something
- Finish your homework before.
Expressions with before
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happening soon or in the near future
We will arrive at the station before long.
treat as more important than another
She always puts her family before her job.
earlier than someone was born or could remember
The movie was made before my time, so I haven't seen it.
occurring earlier than someone's experience
The old office layout was before my time.
without realizing or noticing
We were hiking, and before we knew it, the sun had already set.
being witnessed firsthand by someone
The transformation happened right before my eyes.
follow simple first steps before trying harder or more complex things
New programmers must crawl before they can walk with advanced frameworks.
start with simple tasks before complex ones
In business, it's wise to crawl before you walk.
deteriorate initially before improving later
The patient's condition may get worse before it gets better.
period of calm before chaos or trouble
The team enjoyed a lull before the storm of the playoffs.
learn basic skills first before trying something more difficult
She needs to learn to walk before she runs in project leadership.
learn simple things before trying difficult things
You should walk before you can run in this new job.
learn basic skills before advanced ones
You should walk before you run in programming.
acting to prevent decline or damage
We need to fix the roof before the rot sets in.
doing something before it became popular
She wore vintage clothes before it was cool.
happening directly in front of someone
The magician made the coin disappear before my very eyes.
work responsibilities should be prioritized over leisure activities
He always follows the principle of business before pleasure.
peaceful time before a crisis or chaos
The city was quiet, a calm before the storm.
situation where things are done in the wrong order
Starting the project without a plan is putting the cart before the horse.
consider consequences before causing trouble for yourself
Check yourself before you wreck yourself in that argument!
learn basic skills before complex ones
In martial arts, you must crawl before you walk into advanced techniques.
challenging time before success
Her struggles in school were the darkness before the dawn of her academic achievements.
warns not to expect something before it happens
Don't count your chickens before they hatch, the deal isn't final yet!
listen to something unoriginal or repetitive
I've heard it all before, so try something new.
Origin of before
Old English, beforan (in front of)
Terms with before included in their meaning
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consonant sounds
used before words starting with consonant sounds
linguistics
used before words starting with a vowel sound
young human
very young human, especially before walking
time-related
before the expected or usual time
numbers
being the number after ten and before twelve
earliest
coming before all others in time or order
mathematics
the number after three and before five
farewell
say goodbye in the evening or before sleep
unused
not used or owned before
hour
time three hours before midnight or before noon
sequence
day after Friday and before Sunday
mathematics
the number following six and before eight
mathematics
the number following five and before seven
specific noun
used before a noun already mentioned or known
plural nouns
used before plural nouns to specify them
time
on the day before today
specific day
the day immediately before today
acr: ante meridiem
time before noon in the 12-hour clock
personal identity
name given at birth that comes before the surname
initial experience
never done or experienced before
previous month
during the month before the current one
recent past
the night immediately before today
previous night
during the night before today
numbers
the number following 119 and before 121
Examples of before in a sentence
The meeting was scheduled before the conference. The number 2 comes before 3 in sequence. In the lineup, she stood before him. The monument stood before the grand palace. A small garden lay before the house. He knelt before the queen.
The lawyer presented the case before the judge. He called her before he left. Finish your meal before you leave. Wash your hands before you eat. Check the weather before you go out. I've never seen this movie before. He had met her once before at a conference. She arrived at the meeting before. Prepare your notes before.
View all translations of before
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:avant, avant que, ...
- German:vor, bevor, ...
- Italian:prima di, prima, ...
- Spanish:antes de, antes de que, ...
- Portuguese:antes de, antes, ...
- Chinese:在...之前, 先...再..., ...
- Japanese:までに, てから, ...
- Arabic:قبل, قبل أن, ...
- Hebrew:לִפְנֵי, לִפְנֵי שֶׁ, ...
- Russian:до, прежде чем, ...
- Ukrainian:до, перш ніж, ...
- Hindi:से पहले, पहले, ...
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