before

Meanings

1. 1
   prep

   Earlier than a particular time.

   I want this finished before Monday.

2. 2
   adv

   At an earlier time; in the past.

   I've never done this before.

3. 3
   prep

   In front of someone or something in space.

   He stood before me and waited.

4. 4
   prep

   In the presence of someone.

   She performed before a huge crowd.

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h₁ep-der. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epsder. Proto-Indo-European *h₁epider. Proto-Indo-European *h₁pi Proto-Germanic *bider. Proto-Germanic *bi- Proto-West Germanic *bi- Old English be- Old English foran Old English beforan Middle English bifore English before Inherited from Middle English before /bifore, from Old English beforan, from be- + foran (“before”), from fore, from Proto-Germanic *furai, from Proto-Indo-European *per- (“front”). Cognate with Saterland Frisian befoar (“before”), German Low German bevör (“before”), German bevor (“before”).

Topics