How do you pronounce beforehand?

The recorded pronunciation is /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/.

Where does beforehand come from?

It is traced to Middle English.

beforehand

/bɪˈfɔɹhænd/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 3.62 in modern English

Syllables: be-fore-hand
IPA: /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/

Scrabble Score

Letters

Syllables

Unique Chars

Meaning

adv

At an earlier or preceding time.

adj

In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.

Obsolete

adj

In a state of anticipation or preoccupation.

Archaic

Example Sentences

"Will it be possible to have access to the room beforehand so that we can set up chairs?"
"I love playing tennis but I always get so nervous beforehand."
"Weeks beforehand, I had bought the tickets for the concert."
"Prosecutors also said Wednesday their side “does not intend to reference allegations that the defendant violated FARA or improperly coordinated with the Obama Administration,” referring to the Foreign Agents Registration Act, which requires people who lobby on behalf of foreign clients to register beforehand with the US government."
"rich and much beforehand"
"Agricola […] resolves to be beforehand with the danger."

Etymology

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

Origin

Source language: Middle English

Word Breakdown

Root: biforhand

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /bɪˈfɔɹhænd/
British English: /bɪˈfɔːhænd/

Usage

Inflected Forms

before-hand (alternative, archaic) more beforehand (comparative) most beforehand (superlative)

Phrases

beforehand in the world beforehand with the world

Synonyms

in advance upfront prehand advance ahead

Antonyms

afterwards afterhand

Rhymes With

forehand