forward

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Situated toward or at the front of something.

   • The fire was confined to the forward portion of the store.
   • the forward gun in a ship
   • the forward ship in a fleet
2. 2

   Acting in or pertaining to the direction in which someone or something is facing.

   • My forward vision is fine, but my peripheral vision is poor.
3. 3

   Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.

   • forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
4. ›+ 28 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      Moving in the desired direction of progress.

      • This is an important forward step for the country.
      • The only limit to our realization of tomorrow will be our doubts of today. Let us move forward with strong and active faith.
   2. 5

      Having the usual order or sequence.

      • The front of the fire engine has backward writing, that can be read in a mirror, as well as forward writing.
   3. 6

      Expected or scheduled to take place in the future.

      • The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings.
      • The price for forward delivery is presently higher than the spot price.
   4. 7

      Advanced beyond the usual degree

      Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.

      • These students are very forward in their learning.
      • The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring.
      • The most forward bud / Is eaten by the canker ere it blow.
   5. 8

      Without customary restraint or modesty

      Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.

      • She is a very forward young lady, not afraid to speak her mind.
      • […] the lady conceived the same desires with himself, and was on her side contriving how to give the captain proper encouragement, without appearing too forward; for she was a strict observer of all rules of decorum.
      • He said that if one offered himself to be a soldier under him, who was forward to tell what he could or would do, if he could only get sight of the enemy, he had but little confidence in him.
   6. 9

      Prominent, emphasized (or, in combinations, emphasizing).

      • Pecan Porter […] beer is malty and rich with a very forward flavor of pecans with hints of molasses and burnt caramel and has a very great finish.
      • [Margaret Encino, seeking an Acme-Ashmun sponsorship:] And we could continue to make Acme-Ashmun forward content.
      • […] appetizing home bakes as well as moreish desserts and citrus-forward drinks and cocktails.
   7. 10

      Ready

      Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.

      • Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
      • Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.
   8. 11

      At, near or towards the front of something.

      • She was sitting well forward in the railway carriage.
      • The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward.
   9. 12

      In the direction in which someone or something is facing.

      • I leant forward to get a better look.
      • The grandfather clock toppled forward and crashed to the ground.
   10. 13

       In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively

       In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively; onwards.

       • After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward.
       • Wind the film forward a few frames.
       • Don't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour tonight!
   11. 14

       So that front and back are in the usual orientation.

       • Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
   12. 15

       In the usual order or sequence.

       • A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
   13. 16

       Into the future.

       • From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
   14. 17

       To an earlier point in time. See also bring forward.

       • The meeting has been moved forward an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 2 o'clock.
   15. 18

       To advance, promote.

       • He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
       • Mary had a suspicion that this plan had been arranged beforehand, for she knew how the lewd old woman loved to forward love affairs […].
   16. 19

       To send (a letter, email etc.) on to a third party.

       • I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone.
   17. 20

       To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.

   18. 21

       To arrive, come.

   19. 22

       One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and…

       One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).

   20. 23

       An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.

   21. 24

       The small forward or power forward position

       The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.

   22. 25

       The front part of a vessel.

   23. 26

       An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients

       An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.

       • When you receive your new pen-pal's email address, do not automatically put it in your address book and use the email Addy to send 'forwards' to. Not every pen pal likes 'forwards', especially jokes and meaningless emails.
       • This method attaches the files to a new email, which is fine if you want to create a new email. The only problem with this is that it doesn't work if you'd rather send forwards or replies.
   24. 27

       A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the…

       A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the future; distinguished from a futures contract in that the latter is standardized and traded on an exchange.

   25. 28

       Misspelling of foreword (“preface or introduction”).

   26. 29

       Agreement

       Agreement; covenant.

   27. 30

       A surname.

   28. 31

       A place name

       A place name:

The neighborhood

• synonymanteriorat the front
• synonymfrontat the front
• synonymforwardstowards the front
• antonymbackantonym(s) of “at the front”
• antonymposteriorantonym(s) of “at the front”
• antonymrearantonym(s) of “at the front”
• antonymantonym(s) of
• antonymrestrainedantonym(s) of “without customary restraint”
• antonymbackwardantonym(s) of “towards the front”
• antonymbackwardsantonym(s) of “towards the front”
• antonymrearwardsantonym(s) of “towards the front”
• antonymin reverseantonym(s) of “in the usual direction of progress”
• antonyminto the pastantonym(s) of “into the future”
• neighborstraightforward