Also spelled before-hand

US /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/ UK /bɪˈfɔːhænd/
adv adj Freq #11734

Meanings

  1. 1
    adv

    Before something else happens; in advance.

    If you let me know beforehand, I can set up the chairs.

Thesaurus

Synonyms
1 adv · before something else... aheadin advanceupfront

Etymology

From Middle English biforhand, biforhond, beforehonde, bifornhand, equivalent to before + hand. [13th century. After Old French avant main].

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