forthwith

American  

[fawrth-with, -with, fohrth-] / ˌfɔrθˈwɪθ, -ˈwɪð, ˌfoʊrθ- /

adverb

1. immediately; at once; without delay.

   Any official accused of dishonesty should be suspended forthwith.

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forthwith British  

/ -ˈwɪð, ˌfɔːθˈwɪθ /

adverb

1. at once; immediately

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Etymology

Origin of forthwith

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; see origin at forth, with

Explanation

Forthwith is a old-fashioned, fancy way to say "immediately." An extremely obnoxious restaurant patron might demand, "Waiter, bring my soup forthwith!" You're most likely to find the word forthwith in a book or movie set in the past, or in a legal document. Either way, it means "without delay." If you're summoned to the principal's office forthwith, you probably shouldn't stop to chat with your friends on the way. The meaning of this adverb evolved from an earlier sense of "together" or "at the same time," as in "going forth with another person."

Example Sentences

“He shall be released forthwith, if not incarcerated in any other case,” the order concluded.

From Seattle Times • Jun. 3, 2024

He was 85 and said he found painting tiring; forthwith, he would devote his energies to drawing.

From New York Times • Mar. 16, 2023

"We are therefore at liberty to exercise our right to withdraw our labour forthwith," Murithi Nyagah, the general secretary of KALPA, said in a statement.

From Reuters • Nov. 4, 2022

Predictably, a judge swiftly ruled in Mr. Frosh’s favor and ordered Sheriff Gahler to turn over all relevant evidence forthwith.

From Washington Post • Apr. 29, 2022

In her turn, Helen Burns asked me to explain, and I proceeded forthwith to pour out, in my own way, the tale of my sufferings and resentments.

From "Jane Eyre" by Charlotte Brontë

Related Words

• abruptly
• right away