forward

1 of 4

adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce forward (audio)
 also  ˈfō-,
 or  ˈfȯ-,
 Southern also  ˈfär-
1
a
: near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
the forward section of the main deck
b
: situated in advance
Baggage is carried in the forward cars of the train.
2
a
: strongly inclined : ready
always forward to criticize his neighbors
b
: lacking modesty or reserve : brash
Poorly disciplined children are often distressingly forward.
3
: notably advanced or developed : precocious
The child is very forward at walking.
4
: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
checked the forward movement of the dog
also : moving toward an opponent's goal
5
a
: advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress
a firm forward policy
b
: extreme, radical
on the forward fringe of conservatism
6
: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
forward buying of produce
forwardly adverb
forwardness noun

forward

2 of 4

adverb

: to or toward what is ahead or in front
from that time forward
moved slowly forward

forward

3 of 4

verb

forwarded; forwarding; forwards

transitive verb

1
: to help onward : promote
forwarded his friend's career
2
a
: to send forward : transmit
will forward the goods on receipt of your check
b
: to send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit
forward mail

forward

4 of 4

noun

: a player who plays at the front the team's formation near the opponent's goal
a forward in hockey
Choose the Right Synonym for forward

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead.

advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Examples of forward in a Sentence

Adjective the forward deck of a boat the forward movement of history a very forward young woman Adverb Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes. He pushed the throttle forward. She took a small step forward. The narrative moves backward and forward in time. The technology has taken a big step forward. Verb Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department. Please forward my mail to my new address.
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
He is encouraged by some forward momentum in the industry’s AI journey over the past five years. John Kell, Fortune, 21 Mar. 2024 To set it up, Arnold says to position it in a way that enables your elbows to be between 80 to 100 degrees while typing, adding that a desk with a forward slope helps maintain a neutral neck. Claire Peltier, ABC News, 18 Mar. 2024 And then in terms of how much to reveal in Savannah’s backstory regarding her mom, there were just some really brutal choices that had to be made in terms of serving the forward momentum of the show. Caroline Brew, Variety, 16 Mar. 2024 The electric car maker, which earned $4.4 billion over that time, relied on a legal tax strategy to carry forward losses from earlier years to offset more current profits, the report found. Aimee Picchi, CBS News, 13 Mar. 2024 Like many eVTOL designs, the Sirius Business Jet will have both vertical takeoff potential as well as shifting rotors that allow forward flight. Michael Verdon, Robb Report, 11 Mar. 2024 Tarasenko was on the ice when a 4-on-4 sequence ended, and got stuck playing on an imperfect forward line next to fellow wingers Matthew Tkachuk and Carter Verhaeghe. David Wilson, Miami Herald, 7 Mar. 2024 In one of the movie’s highlights, the very forward Frost gets a reluctant Buck to dance with her. Eric Andersson, Peoplemag, 4 Mar. 2024 If all goes well, they'll be cleared for another launch try Sunday at 10:53 p.m. EST, setting up a docking at the space station's forward port around 3 a.m. Tuesday. William Harwood, CBS News, 2 Mar. 2024
Adverb
Looking forward to the thrill of finding chocolate eggs this Easter? Prarthana Prakash, Fortune Europe, 22 Mar. 2024 Magic is officially in the making at Disney’s studios, as the entertainment company has announced its decision to move forward with Selena Gomez and David Henrie’s Wizards of Waverly Place reboot proposal two months after placing the initial pilot order. Hannah Dailey, Billboard, 22 Mar. 2024 The Harvard transfer with ambitions to coach in the NBA even started suggesting ways the Trojans could scheme to get star freshman JuJu Watkins or forward Rayah Marshall open. Thuc Nhi Nguyen, Los Angeles Times, 22 Mar. 2024 Their star forward Adama Sanogo finished with 17 points and 10 rebounds in the final and won Most Outstanding Player. Caitlin O'Kane, CBS News, 21 Mar. 2024 Two Squared Chardonnay Arroyo Seco 2022 (3 stars) Monterey County, Calif., $27 Looking forward to summer farmstand fruit? Dave McIntyre, Washington Post, 21 Mar. 2024 The Tigers were also helped by 18 points and nine rebounds from senior guard Jourdan Smith, while forward Antwan Burnett added another 18 points. Jacob Lev, CNN, 21 Mar. 2024 From that point forward, leaning on her to save me at school wasn’t an option. Michaela Trimble, Vogue, 21 Mar. 2024 On Sunday, March 10 at 2:00 a.m. local time, clocks across the United States and Canada will turn forward one hour to 3:00 a.m. local time. Skyler Caruso, Peoplemag, 9 Mar. 2024
Verb
An email from Mowery to the state agency on Feb. 4, forwarded to IndyStar, shows Mowery objecting to the facts outlined in a draft report. Rory Appleton, The Indianapolis Star, 19 Mar. 2024 The prosecutor says six months before the murder, Monica forwarded an email sharing details of her home security system with Baker. Michelle Miller, CBS News, 9 Mar. 2024 Anyone with information is asked to forward it to Officer Benjamin Rodriguez at BRodriguez@RiversideCA.gov. Jenny Gold, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2024 Left back Alphonso Davies, midfielder Konrad Laimer and forwards Serge Gnabry and Kingsley Coman all remain injured, while goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and right back Noussair Mazraoui were rested Monday before returning to training Tuesday ahead of traveling to Italy. James Ellingworth, USA TODAY, 13 Feb. 2024 The golf executive forwarded the tip to the president’s son, Eric, who passed it along to the lawyer. Josh Dawsey, Washington Post, 10 Mar. 2024 According to the prosecution, Monica forwarded the log in credentials and user manual for her security system to Robert Baker on the same day it was upgraded. Gabriella Demirdjian, CBS News, 10 Mar. 2024 Once someone has asked for a recount, the Secretary of State forwards a copy of the request to the election officials in the county where the recount is wanted. Angela Rodriguez, Sacramento Bee, 8 Mar. 2024 Last night, friends forwarded me some of the warnings that had circulated on WhatsApp during the day and evening. Amy Wilentz, The Atlantic, 7 Mar. 2024
Noun
If the Sharks opted to go with a forward with that Penguins pick, centers Cayden Lindstrom, and Tij Iginla could both still be on the board. Lindstrom, ranked the third-best North American skater by Central Scouting, is a manchild with Medicine Hat of the WHL at 6-foot-3 and 210 pounds. Curtis Pashelka, The Mercury News, 13 Mar. 2024 While his output – even at AFC Ajax – has never been enormously fruitful, Antony’s current stats are diabolical for a wide forward. Liam Canning, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 While fans will want to see more assists and goals to his tally – five so far this season in 35 appearances – his output is generally enticing for the forwards to attack. Liam Canning, Forbes, 29 Feb. 2024 Maybe paired with Redondo, Busquets could do his thing and let younger legs chase down speedy wingers and forwards. Michelle Kaufman, Miami Herald, 26 Feb. 2024 During one sequence against Portland, as the Hornets were running a play drawn up by Clifford during a timeout, Miller quietly pointed out to Grant Williams where to slide, ensuring the forward would be in the right position for the set to have a better chance at success. Roderick Boone, Charlotte Observer, 26 Feb. 2024 Chris Smith, a forward for the Iowa Wolves of the G League who spent his final two college seasons under Cronin, said part of the coach’s genius was connecting basketball to other things. Ben Bolch, Los Angeles Times, 23 Feb. 2024 Freshman guard Myles Rice is running away with the Pac-12 freshman of the year race, while senior forward Issac Jones has put himself in serious consideration of being named first-team all-conference. Jordan Mendoza, USA TODAY, 22 Feb. 2024 Both of these South American forwards have inspired at international level this campaign. Joseph O'Sullivan, Forbes, 12 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun

Middle English, from Old English foreweard, from fore- + -weard -ward

First Known Use

Adjective

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

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near forward

Cite this Entry

“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forward. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

forward

1 of 4 adjective
for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce forward (audio)
1
: near, being at, or belonging to the front part
2
: lacking proper modesty or reserve
3
: moving, tending, or leading to a position in front
forwardly adverb
forwardness noun

forward

2 of 4 adverb
: to or toward what is in front

forward

3 of 4 verb
1
: to help onward
forward a friend's career
2
: to send on or forward
forward a letter

forward

4 of 4 noun
: a player who plays at the front of the team near the opponent's goal

Legal Definition

forward

noun
for·​ward
: forward contract at contract

More from Merriam-Webster on forward

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