Definition

1. Adverb:

   • In advance; ahead of time: Refers to doing something prior to a particular event or time.
   • In anticipation; as a preparatory measure: Indicates action taken in preparation for a future situation.

2. Adjective:

   • Early; ahead of schedule: Describes something done or provided before it is needed or expected. (Note: This adjectival use is less common than the adverbial use.)

Examples of Usage

• Adverb:

  • You should book the tickets beforehand to get a better price.
  • I had prepared all the documents beforehand, so the meeting went smoothly.
  • If you had told me beforehand, I could have helped.

• Adjective:

  • She was beforehand with her report, submitting it a week early. (This usage is formal and less frequent.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be beforehand with": To do something before someone else does it; to anticipate.
  • He was beforehand with his critics, addressing their concerns in his introduction.
• Used to emphasize careful planning or avoidance of last-minute problems.
  • Good organizers think beforehand about potential issues.

Variants and Related Words

• In advance (adv. phrase): Synonymous with the primary adverbial meaning.
  • Payment is required in advance.
• Ahead of time (adv. phrase): Synonymous with the primary adverbial meaning.
  • Please arrive ahead of time for security checks.
• Preparatory (adj): Relating to or acting as preparation.
• Preemptive (adj): Done to prevent an anticipated event.

Synonyms

• Adverb: Previously, earlier, already, in advance, ahead of time.
• Adjective: Early, premature, precocious (in the sense of being early).

Related Phrases

• Plan ahead: To make preparations for the future.
  • It's wise to plan ahead for your retirement.
• Forewarned is forearmed: A proverb meaning that prior knowledge of a problem allows one to prepare for it, closely related to the concept of acting beforehand.

Related Idioms

• To get the jump on someone: To gain an advantage by acting before someone else. This idiom conveys a similar sense of anticipatory action as "to be beforehand with."
  • Our team got the jump on the competition by launching the product beforehand.

Adjective

1. being ahead of time or need
   • gave advance warning
   • was beforehand with her report

Adverb

1. ahead of time; in anticipation
   • when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount
   • We like to plan ahead
   • should have made reservations beforehand