up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt 

ˈəp-ˌfrənt

: being or coming in or at the front: such as

a(1)

: frank, forthright

(2)

: being in a conspicuous or leading position

b

: paid or payable in advance

c

: playing in a front line (as in football)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in or at the front

2

: in advance

3

: in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly

Synonyms

Adjective

• candid
• direct
• forthcoming
• forthright
• foursquare
• frank
• free-spoken
• freehearted
• honest
• open
• openhearted
• out-front
• outspoken
• plain
• plainspoken
• straight
• straightforward
• unguarded
• unreserved

Examples of up-front in a Sentence

Adjective

some hurt feelings could have been spared if he'd been more up-front about whom he was inviting to the party

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The slugging first baseman has agreed to stay with the Toronto Blue Jays on a 14-year, $500 million contract extension that ranks second only to Juan Soto in terms of up-front dollars. —Dan Schlossberg, Forbes.com, 7 Apr. 2025

The changes also include up-front deposit amounts that license holders would pay toward fees the county charges to issue licenses and manage state hemp requirements, such as testing for THC levels. —Jake Goodrick, Sacbee.com, 7 Apr. 2025

Adverb

How to save on car insurance Shop around and compare quotes Increase your deductible Pay your annual premium up front Improve your credit score Bundle car and home insurance Car insurance FAQs 1. —Liz Knueven, CNBC, 8 Apr. 2025

Although Kai Havertz, Leandro Trossard and Mikel Merino have had stints up front in recent years, Gabriel Jesus is the only player Arsenal have signed as a centre-forward under Arteta. —Art De Roché, New York Times, 3 Apr. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up-front

• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt
• sederunt
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront
• blunt