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 of forth

Adverb

• forward
• onward
• on

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

Trump has gone back and forth over whether the war will end, at times expressing optimism and at other times saying Russia and Ukraine should be left to fight it out to the bitter end. —Darlene Superville, Chicago Tribune, 9 May 2026

Neighbors told officers that English-Wheat used to go back and forth from Prindle's home and take out the trash, but had not been seen at the residence in months, according to the statement obtained by WCIA. —Bailey Richards, PEOPLE, 9 May 2026

Preposition

San Antonio is under a level 2 of 5 risk of severe thunderstorms, as set forth by the Storm Prediction Center. —Anthony Franze, San Antonio Express-News, 10 May 2026

Because similar efforts to the one put forth Wednesday will only yield similar results against this young, hungry Spurs team that responded to Minnesota’s Game 1 jab with a haymaker. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 7 May 2026

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