b4

Earlier, in texts

B4 is textspeak for "before," using the letter B and numeral 4 to approximate the sound of the word.

It emerged in early texting and online chat when character limits and slow typing made abbreviations practical.

Though less common now that phones have full keyboards, it still appears in casual digital communication: I need to finish this b4 dinner.

It's also the designation for a square on a chess or battleship board.

anticipation

before

Prior in time

previous · expectation · preparation · waiting · countdown · leadup · prelude · preliminary · advance · foregoing

textspeak

before

Prior in time

msg · chat · shorthand · abbreviation · slang · informal · online · digital · typing · quick

music

boyband

Young male vocal group

  • popFizzy drink, regionally
  • groupAssembled collection of things
  • debutFirst public appearance

album · single · track · choreography · performance · fans · idol · entertainment · Korean · members

Opposites
temporal sequence

b4after

Following in time

afterwards · following · later · subsequently · next

register/formality

b4before

Prior in time

prior to · previously · preceding · heretofore · beforehand

Familiarity
Top 500,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Everyday, not technical · Rated G