beforehand

From Middle English biforhand, biforhond, beforehonde, bifornhand, equivalent to before +‎ hand.

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /bɪˈfɔːhænd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/
• (rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /bɪˈfo(ː)ɹhænd/
• (non-rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /bɪˈfoəhænd/
• Hyphenation: be‧fore‧hand

• Audio (US)

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beforehand (not comparable)

1. At an earlier or preceding time.

   Will it be possible to have access to the room beforehand so that we can set up chairs?

• in advance

• afterwards

beforehand (comparative more beforehand, superlative most beforehand)

1. (obsolete) In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.
   • Francis Bacon

     rich and much beforehand

2. (archaic, often followed by with) In a state of anticipation or preoccupation.
   • John Milton

     Agricola […] resolves to be beforehand with the danger.

   • Addison

     The last cited author has been beforehand with me.

   • 1839, London Medical Gazette: Or, Journal of Practical Medicine

     […] the medical attendant ought to be rather beforehand with the symptoms of excitement, and to diminish the large quantity of wine before they appear.

• beforehandness