forth

1 of 2

adverb

ˈfȯrth 

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

Synonyms

Adverb

• ahead
• forward
• on
• onward
• onwards

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

Adverb

Going back and forth with her scene partner Sam, Lydia delivered a solid performance with some memorable line readings. —Vic Verbalaitis, Newsweek, 17 Mar. 2025

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy and Musk also reportedly went back and forth over whether DOGE tried to lay off air traffic controllers in the Federal Aviation Administration. —Maydeen Merino, Washington Examiner - Political News and Conservative Analysis About Congress, the President, and the Federal Government, 15 Mar. 2025

Preposition

The government shall respond to these serious allegations with a legal and factual response setting forth its version of event. —Mark Davis, Newsweek, 16 Mar. 2025

The consequences will be felt around the world Trump’s EPA will have to go through a months-long regulatory process to undo the Biden rules and put forth new ones, and Wednesday’s announcement kicks off that process. —Ella Nilsen, CNN, 12 Mar. 2025

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

Phrases Containing forth

• and so forth
• back and forth
• bring forth
• call forth
• forth of
• from that day forth
• from that day forth/forward
• hold forth
• put forth
• sally forth
• send forth
• set forth

Rhymes for forth

• fourth
• henceforth
• thenceforth

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

ˈfȯrth 

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