before
Preceding in time
Like some other prepositions, before started out defining a spatial relationship and later developed meanings related to time.
Today, the temporal meanings of before are most frequent.
The spatial senses of before (first and in front of) led to some slightly more specialized senses: in a place of greater importance (as in value intelligence before looks) and in the presence of (He came before the judge yesterday).
As a conjunction, before introduces a clause describing action after that in the main clause: Try to pay off the mortgage before you retire.
Time already gone
- earlierAt a prior time
- previousOccurring before another
- priorExisting before another
- formerlyIn the past
previously · ago · once · yesterday · antecedent · preceding · erstwhile · former
Coming before in order
- priorExisting before another
- previousOccurring before another
- antecedentSomething that precedes
- lead-upPreliminary period or events
prequel · precede · forerunner · predecessor · preliminary · opening · introductory · preamble
In the lead
- precedenceSuperior rank or importance
- priorityStatus of greater importance
- precedingComing before in order
- outrankHold higher position than
superior · senior · above · higher · preeminent · first place · leading · in front
Stored past experiences
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- retrospectReflection on past events
- recollectionRecalled mental image
- flashbackInvoluntary past memory
bygone · yesteryear · halcyon · wistful · longing · sentimentality · homesickness · reverie
Preceding in position
- facingDirected toward something
- oppositeReverse or contrary thing
- aheadIn the lead
- forwardOnward in direction
presence · audience · eyes · tribunal · court · witness · assembled · congregation
Belief about future outcomes
- awaitingStaying until something arrives
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
- eagernessIntense willingness to act
trepidation · apprehension · anxiety · hope · dread · imminence · prospect · countdown
Prophetic indicator
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- portentSign of future calamity
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
presage · warning · precursor · herald · forewarning · prophetic · predictive · inkling
past
Time already gone
formerly · previously · ago · once · yesterday · antecedent · preceding · erstwhile · former · already
preceding
Coming before in order
- priorExisting before another
- previousOccurring before another
- antecedentSomething that precedes
lead-up · prequel · precede · forerunner · predecessor · preliminary · opening · introductory · preamble · preface
ahead
In the lead
- precedenceSuperior rank or importance
- priorityStatus of greater importance
- precedingComing before in order
outrank · superior · senior · above · higher · preeminent · first place · leading · in front · top
memories
Stored past experiences
- reminiscenceRecalling past experiences
- retrospectReflection on past events
- recollectionRecalled mental image
flashback · bygone · yesteryear · halcyon · wistful · longing · sentimentality · homesickness · reverie · melancholy
in front of
Preceding in position
forward · presence · audience · eyes · tribunal · court · witness · assembled · congregation · appearing
expectation
Belief about future outcomes
- awaitingStaying until something arrives
- suspenseAnxious uncertainty about outcomes
- excitementState of eager enthusiasm
eagerness · trepidation · apprehension · anxiety · hope · dread · imminence · prospect · countdown · eve
omen
Prophetic indicator
- harbingerOne who foreshadows
- portentSign of future calamity
- premonitionAdvance sense of future events
foreboding · presage · warning · precursor · herald · forewarning · prophetic · predictive · inkling · hunch
beforeafter
Following in time
afterward · afterwards · later · subsequently · following
- before longIn the near future
- before and afterStates flanking a change
- before darkPrior to sunset
- calm before the stormDeceptive peace preceding turmoil
- before you know itSooner than anticipated
- before dawnTime preceding sunrise