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Previous vs Beforehand - What's the difference?

previous | beforehand |

As adjectives the difference between previous and beforehand

is that previous is prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order while beforehand is (obsolete) in comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.

As a noun previous

is (informal|uk) an existing criminal record; short for "previous convictions".

As an adverb beforehand is

at an earlier or preceding time.

previous

English

Alternative forms

* (archaic)

Adjective

(-)
  • Prior; occurring before something else, either in time or order.
  • * Thomson
    • The dull sound previous to the storm, / Rolls o'er the muttering earth.
  • * {{quote-book, year=1963, author=(Margery Allingham)
    • , title=(The China Governess) , chapter=Foreword citation , passage=He stood transfixed before the unaccustomed view of London at night time, a vast panorama which reminded him […] of some wood engravings far off and magical, in a printshop in his childhood. They dated from the previous century and were coarsely printed on tinted paper, with tinsel outlining the design.}}
    He is no better than the previous Prime Minister.
  • (informal)  Premature; occurring too soon.
    • I thought that I had solved the problem, but I was a bit previous .

    Synonyms

    * former * late * old * See also

    Antonyms

    * future * following * next * succeeding

    Noun

    (-)
  • (informal, UK) An existing criminal record; short for "previous convictions".
    • It turned out the shoplifter had a lot of previous .
  • * November 2 2014 , Daniel Taylor, " Sergio Agüero strike wins derby for Manchester City against 10-man United," guardian.co.uk
    • For that Smalling will have to do his time grazing in the scapegoat’s paddock because his contribution here supplied hard evidence of a player lacking the football intelligence that is needed at the highest level. He has previous on that front and it is difficult to find any mitigation for the way he scythed down James Milner when the first rule for a defender on a yellow card is not to dive in unless it is absolutely necessary.

    Anagrams

    * *

    beforehand

    English

    Adverb

    (-)
  • At an earlier or preceding time.
    • Will it be possible to have access to the room beforehand so that we can set up chairs?

    Antonyms

    * afterwards

    Synonyms

    * in advance

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • (obsolete) In comfortable circumstances as regards property; forehanded.
  • * Francis Bacon
    • rich and much beforehand
  • In a state of anticipation or preoccupation; often followed by with .
  • * Milton
    • Agricola resolves to be beforehand with the danger.
  • * Addison
    • The last cited author has been beforehand with me.