before · prep
before (IMPORTANCE)
C2 treated as more important than someone or something
Dictionary examples:
They always put the children's needs before their own. (28.6)
before (EARLIER)
A1 earlier than something or someone
Dictionary examples:
Sleep before work, not during. (0.0)
Put on pants before shoes. (0.0)
Laugh before the joke ends. (0.0)
You should always wash your hands before meals. (11.9)
I want to be home before dark. (12.4)
She arrived before me. (20.8)
Think hard before accepting the offer. (21.6)
before (PLACE)
A2 at a place that you pass when traveling toward another place
Dictionary examples:
The library is before the playground. Study first, then play! (0.0)
The ice cream shop is right before the gym. Tempting! (0.0)
The bike shop is before the gas station. Save money! (0.0)
The hospital is just before the bridge. (23.6)
before (IN ORDER)
B1 in front of someone or something in an order or a list
Dictionary examples:
In my daily routine, 'check social media' comes before 'brush teeth'. (0.0)
In my weekend plans, 'sleep' always comes before 'be productive'. (0.0)
In my priorities, coffee always comes before any morning conversation. (0.0)
The letter K comes before L in the English alphabet. (54.9)
before (IN FRONT OF)
B1 in a position in front of someone or something
Dictionary examples:
The talking parrot revealed all the family secrets before shocked dinner guests. (0.0)
The clown juggled flaming pineapples before a terrified audience of fruit lovers. (0.0)
The magician accidentally made himself disappear before his confused assistant. (0.0)
I've never performed this before an audience. (30.1)