before

Meaning

Adverb

• At an earlier time.
• In advance.
• At the front end.

Related

Similar words

• by, no later than, previous to, prior to, ere
• ahead of, in front of
• ahead of
• previously
• ahead
• in front
• lest

Opposite words

• after, later than
• behind
• after

Origin

• From Middle English before, bifore (adverb and preposition), from Old English beforan, from be- + foran, from fore, from Proto-Germanic *furai, from Proto-Indo-European *per- ("front"). Cognate with Saterland Frisian befoar, Low German bevör, German bevor.