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

There are also options like Epson’s EcoTank series that have a larger up-front cost but the ink can cost as little as $5 per year. —Ken Colburn, The Arizona Republic, 29 Apr. 2024

Creating better road designs and public transit will require significant up-front investment, and the effects may not be seen for years. —The Editors, Scientific American, 16 Apr. 2024

Adverb

Migrants pay for their trips to the border up front. —Matt Rivers, ABC News, 10 June 2024

He was voted first team All-Mountain West Conference and should be an immediate difference maker up front for the Wildcats. —Steven Johnson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1