American English
/bɪˈfɔɹ/
2 syllables · Stress the second syllable.
earlier than a particular time, event, or action
“Before” is usually pronounced /bɪˈfɔɹ/. In careful or emphatic speech, you may also hear /ˌbiˈfɔɹ/ with a clearer first syllable.
earlier than a particular time, event, or action
Wash your hands before dinner.
Please call me before leaving.
After before, say before leaving, not before to leave.
before bed · before work · before dinner · before the meeting
before + noun or time expression
before + verb-ing
earlier than the time when something happens
Lock the door before you leave.
Eat before the movie starts.
before + subject + verb
at an earlier time, especially in the past
I have seen this film before.
She lived here before.
never before · as before
verb + before
earlier than someone or something in a line, list, or order
A comes before B in the alphabet.
You were before me in line.
come before · go before
noun + come before + noun
noun + be before + noun
soon
The bus will be here before long.
much earlier than a particular time or event
She had left long before I arrived.
very soon, before you notice how quickly time passes
Before you know it, the year will be over.