What does avant mean in English?

"Avant" is a French word meaning "before" or "in front of." It is often used in English as part of compound words, such as:

* Avant-garde: This means "advance guard" or "vanguard," referring to people or ideas that are innovative and experimental, ahead of their time.

* Avant-première: This means "first showing" or "premiere," referring to the first public performance of a play, movie, or other work.

While "avant" is not a standalone English word, it is recognized as a part of several common English phrases.