before
(adverb, conjunction, preposition)
adverb
1. earlier in time; previously
- I had known her before
- as I said before
- he called me the day before but your call had come even earlier
Similar word(s): earlier
2. at or in the front
- with the cross of Jesus marching on before
Similar word(s): ahead
Sentences with before as an adverb:
- I've never done this before.
conjunction
1. in advance of the time when
2. (informal) rather or sooner than
preposition
1. Earlier than (in time).
- I want this done before Monday.
2. In front of in space.
- He stood before me.
- We sat before the fire to warm ourselves.
3. Under consideration, judgment, authority of (someone).
- The case laid before the panel aroused nothing but ridicule.
4. In store for, in the future of (someone).
5. In front of, according to a formal system of ordering items.
- In alphabetical order, "cat" comes before "dog", "canine" before feline".
6. At a higher or greater position in a ranking.
- An entrepreneur puts market share and profit before quality, an amateur intrinsic qualities before economical considerations.