How to pronounce beforehand
Say it like bih-FOR-hand. Beforehand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce beforehand. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- bih
- FOR
- hand
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Beforehand pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- bihKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
- FORSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- handGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of beforehand
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: bih-FAW-hand.
What does beforehand mean?
- being ahead of time or need“gave advance warning”“was beforehand with her report”
- ahead of time; in anticipation“when you pay ahead (or in advance) you receive a discount”“We like to plan ahead”
Where does beforehand come from?
From Middle English biforhand, biforhond, beforehonde, bifornhand, equivalent to before + hand.
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Questions about saying beforehand
How do you pronounce beforehand?
Say bih-FOR-hand. The American pronunciation is /bɪˈfɔrˌhænd/. In British English it is /bɪˈfɔːˌhænd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in beforehand?
Beforehand has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the second one (FOR). Broken into parts: bih · FOR · hand.
Is beforehand pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /bɪˈfɔːˌhænd/ (bih-FAW-hand).