forth

1 of 2

adverb

1
: onward in time, place, or order : forward
from that day forth
2
: out into notice or view
put forth leaves
lava bursting forth from the volcano
3
obsolete : away, abroad

forth

2 of 2

preposition

archaic
: forth from : out of

Examples of forth in a Sentence

Adverb a flow of lava bursting forth from the earth The snow is gone and the flowers are ready to spring forth. He went forth to spread the news. She stretched forth her hands in prayer.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Adverb
Tariffs Positions: Somewhat aligned Musk: Musk has gone back and forth on tariffs. Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 31 Oct. 2024 The novel, by Erie writer Carter Wilson, goes back and forth between Poe’s attempt to find the killer and the Halloween interview with the killer in charge. Sandra Dallas, The Denver Post, 27 Oct. 2024
Preposition
Without unified ethical standards set forth by the White House, agencies will be more likely to misuse AI. Jill Goldenziel, Forbes, 31 Oct. 2024 Both men seem resigned to a dire fate set forth by a country that failed them. Andre Gee, Rolling Stone, 26 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for forth 

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English for

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

circa 1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forth was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near forth

Cite this Entry

“Forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forth. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

forth

adverb
ˈfō(ə)rth,
ˈfȯ(ə)rth
1
: forward entry 2, onward
from that time forth
back and forth
2
: out into view
plants putting forth leaves

Geographical Definition

Forth

geographical name

river 116 miles (187 kilometers) long in south central Scotland flowing east into the Firth of Forth, an estuary 48 miles (77 kilometers) long that is an inlet of the North Sea

More from Merriam-Webster on forth

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!