forward

[ fawr-werd ]

adverb

1. toward or at a place, point, or time in advance; onward; ahead:

   to move forward;

   from this day forward;

   to look forward.

2. toward the front:

   Let's move forward so we can hear better.

3. into view or consideration; out; forth:

   He brought forward several good suggestions.

4. toward the bow or front of a vessel or aircraft.
5. ahead ( defs 4, 5 ).

adjective

1. directed toward a point in advance; moving ahead; onward:

   The chest-high snow made forward motion almost impossible.

   Antonyms: backward

2. being in a condition of advancement; well-advanced:

   It was quite forward in the season when we finished our planting.

3. presumptuous, impertinent, or bold:

   That girl is a rude, forward child.

   Synonyms: impudent, assuming

4. situated in the front or forepart:

   The bow is the forward part of the ship.

5. of or relating to the future; for the future or forward delivery:

   In August the hog packer was offering a forward price of $1.81/kg for hogs delivered in September.

   Synonyms: premature, future, preliminary, early

6. lying ahead or to the front:

   Take the forward path.

7. radical or extreme, as persons or opinions:

   The group represents a forward trend in liberal thought.

   Synonyms: progressive, unconventional

8. standing out from others (sometimes used in combination):

   These fashion-forward celebrities set the trends for the rest of us.

   Sage is an herb with a strong, forward flavor.

9. ready, prompt, or eager.

   Synonyms: zealous, earnest, willing

noun

1. Sports.
   1. a player stationed in advance of others on a team.
   2. Football. a lineman.
   3. Basketball. either of two players stationed in the forecourt.
2. Finance. something bought, as a security, for future delivery.

verb (used with object)

1. to send forward; transmit, especially to a new address:

   He asked me to forward his mail while he’s in Japan.

2. to advance or help onward; promote:

   The training will help to forward your career.

   Synonyms: foster, further

verb (used without object)

1. to advance or play a cassette, digital recording, slide projector, etc., in the forward direction:

   Forward through the first few ballads to get to the dance tracks on this album.

verb phrase

1. put ( def 31 ).

forward

/ ˈfɔːwəd /

adjective

1. directed or moving ahead
2. lying or situated in or near the front part of something
3. presumptuous, pert, or impudent

   a forward remark

4. well developed or advanced, esp in physical, material, or intellectual growth or development

   forward ideas

5. archaic.
   often postpositive ready, eager, or willing
6. 1. of or relating to the future or favouring change; progressive
   2. ( in combination )

      forward-looking

7. finance realting to fulfilment at a future date
8. (of an animal) in good condition

noun

1. 1. an email that has been sent to one recipient and then forwarded to another
   2. (in American football) a lineman
2. an attacking player in any of various sports, such as soccer, hockey, or basketball

adverb

1. a variant of forwards
2. ˈfɔːwədˈfɒrəd towards the front or bow of an aircraft or ship
3. into prominence or a position of being subject to public scrutiny; out; forth

   the witness came forward

verb

1. to send forward or pass on to an ultimate destination

   the letter was forwarded from a previous address

2. to advance, help, or promote

   to forward one's career

3. bookbinding to prepare (a book) for the finisher

Derived Forms

• ˈforwardly, adverb

Other Words From

• for·ward·a·ble adjective
• for·ward·ly adverb
• o·ver·for·ward adjective
• o·ver·for·ward·ly adverb
• o·ver·for·ward·ness noun
• re·for·ward verb (used with object)

Word History and Origins

Origin of forward¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English; Old English for(e)weard; fore ¹, -ward

Word History and Origins

Origin of forward¹

Old English foreweard

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. pay it forward. pay ¹( def 34 ).
2. put one's best foot forward. foot ( def 39 ).

More idioms and phrases containing forward

see backward and forward ; carry forward ; come forward ; from this day forward ; know like a book (backwards and forwards) ; look forward ; put forward ; put one's best foot forward ; set forward .

Synonym Study

Forward, onward both indicate a direction toward the front or a movement in a frontward direction. Forward applies to any movement toward what is or is conceived to be the front or a goal: to face forward; to move forward in the aisles. Onward applies to any movement in continuance of a course: to march onward toward a goal. See bold.

Example Sentences

So we will look forward and apply this criteria to all competitive awards presented from 2025 onwards.

From BBC

A player who has perhaps one of the biggest chances to impress is Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers.

From BBC

Gatland has opted for the more traditional balance of five forwards and three backs on his bench this time after the tactic of six forwards and two backs backfired against Fiji.

From BBC

Ramaswamy meanwhile has put forward plans to scrap a number of federal departments including the Department of Education, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, the Internal Revenue Service and the FBI.

From BBC

More impressive than the results under Bellamy has been the expansive new style of play the former Liverpool and Manchester City forward has introduced.

From BBC

Related Words

• ahead
• leading
• onward