fore

1 of 6

noun

ˈfȯr 

: something that occupies a front position

fore

2 of 6

adverb

1

: in, toward, or near the front : forward

The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

2

obsolete : at an earlier time or period

fore

3 of 6

adjective

1

: situated in front of something else : forward

2

: prior in order of occurrence : former

fore

4 of 6

preposition

variants or less commonly 'fore

1

: in the presence of

2

chiefly dialectal : before

fore

5 of 6

interjection

—used by a golfer to warn anyone within range of the probable line of flight of the ball

fore-

6 of 6

combining form

1

a

: earlier : beforehand

foresee

b

: occurring earlier : occurring beforehand

foreshock

2

a

: situated at the front : in front

foreleg

b

: front part of (something specified)

forearm

c

: foremast

foretop

Phrases

to the fore

: in or into a position of prominence : forward

Synonyms

Adjective

• anterior
• forward
• front
• frontal
• frontward
• frontwards

Preposition

• afore [chiefly dialect]
• ahead of
• before
• ere
• of
• previous to
• prior to
• to

Examples of fore in a Sentence

Adverb

The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

Adjective

the fore and aft cabins

cats have five fore toes but only four hind toes

Preposition

set out early with the hope of arriving fore the sunset

fore the stranger there swarmed a gaggle of curious street urchins

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

But this candidate comes with controversy; the film’s use of AI is not a good look, particularly so soon after the Hollywood strikes of 2023, which put AI at the fore of concerns over labor and intellectual rights. —Rebecca Alter, Vulture, 23 Jan. 2025

Where to watch: Apple TV, Fandango at Home, Amazon, Netflix 'Get Out' (2017) While scary movies have long had a socially conscious side, Jordan Peele brought it back to the fore in a big way with his first directorial outing, one of the best horror movies in recent memory. —Brian Truitt, USA TODAY, 22 Jan. 2025

Adjective

The order brings to the fore litigation and disputes as old as California itself around who deserves precious water in the state and how its liquid gold can best serve nearly 40 million residents along with its agricultural industry, fisheries and ecosystems. —Heather Knight, New York Times, 24 Jan. 2025

The claims of de-banking came to the fore last summer, when a dozen state auditors and treasurers wrote an open letter to Moynihan, claiming his bank was closing accounts of right-wing or religious organizations. —Hannah Parry, Newsweek, 23 Jan. 2025

Interjection

Even with estimates coming in at the low end, a $215 million domestic tally fore Moana 2 would be more than enough to best The Super Mario Bros. Movie’s all-time record of the biggest five-day opening of any movie of all time. —Tim Lammers, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

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

Adjective and Noun

fore-

Interjection

probably short for before

Combining form

Middle English for-, fore-, from Old English fore-, from fore, adverb

First Known Use

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Interjection

circa 1878, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing fore

• fore and aft
• fore-and-after
• fore-and-aft rig
• fore-topmast

Kids Definition

fore

1 of 5 adverb

ˈfō(ə)r 

ˈfȯ(ə)r

: in, toward, or near the front : forward

fore

2 of 5 adjective

: being or coming before in time, order, or space

fore

3 of 5 noun

: a front place or position

came to the fore

fore

4 of 5 interjection

—used by a golfer to warn anyone within range of a hit ball

fore-

5 of 5 combining form

1

a

: earlier : beforehand

foresee

b

: occurring earlier : occurring beforehand

forethought

2

a

: situated at the front : in front

foreleg

b

: front part of (something specified)

forearm

Etymology

Combining form

Old English fore- "earlier, beforehand"

Medical Definition

fore

adjective

ˈfō(ə)r, ˈfȯ(ə)r 

: situated in front of something else