forward

¹for·ward

adjective \ˈfȯr-wərd, also ˈfō- or ˈfȯ-, Southern also ˈfär-\

Definition of FORWARD

1

a : near, being at, or belonging to the forepart

b : situated in advance

2

a : strongly inclined : ready

b : lacking modesty or reserve : brash

3

: notably advanced or developed : precocious

4

: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front; also : moving toward an opponent's goal

5

a : advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress

b : extreme, radical

6

: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future <forward buying of produce>

— for·ward·ly adverb

— for·ward·ness noun

Examples of FORWARD

1. the forward deck of a boat
2. the forward movement of history
3. a very forward young woman

Origin of FORWARD

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

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to FORWARD

Synonyms

bold, familiar, presumptuous, free, immodest, overfamiliar, presuming

Antonyms

modest, unassuming

Related Words

arrogant, bumptious, complacent, conceited, egoistic (also egoistical), egomaniacal, egotistic (or egotistical), highfalutin (also hifalutin), high-and-mighty, high-hat, hoity-toity, important, overweening, pompous, prideful, proud, self-asserting, self-assertive, self-complacent, self-conceited, self-important, self-satisfied, smug, uppity, vain, vainglorious; cavalier, disdainful, haughty, lordly, pretentious, snobbish, stuck-up, supercilious, superior; audacious, bold-faced, brash, brassbound, brassy, brazen, cheeky, cocky, fresh, impertinent, impudent, insolent, overbold, pert, sassy, saucy; confident, self-assured, self-confident, sure; boastful, braggart, bragging; domineering, high-handed, imperious; self-absorbed, self-centered, self-concerned, self-engrossed, self-infatuated, self-interested, self-involved, selfish, self-obsessed, self-seeking

Near Antonyms

demure, down-to-earth, humble, lowly, meek, unassertive, unpretentious; bashful, mousy (or mousey), retiring, shy, timid, timorous; diffident, self-doubting

Rhymes with FORWARD

shoreward

²forward

adverb

Definition of FORWARD

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

Examples of FORWARD

1. Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes.
2. He pushed the throttle forward.
3. She took a small step forward.
4. The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
5. The technology has taken a big step forward.

First Known Use of FORWARD

before 12th century

Related to FORWARD

Synonyms

ahead, forth, along, forwards, on, onward (also onwards)

Related Words

before, fore, frontward (or frontwards)

Near Antonyms

back, backward (or backwards), behind, rearward (also rearwards)

³forward

transitive verb

Definition of FORWARD

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>

Examples of FORWARD

1. Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department.
2. Please forward my mail to my new address.

First Known Use of FORWARD

1596

Related to FORWARD

Synonyms

advance, cultivate, encourage, foster, further, incubate, nourish, nurse, nurture, promote

Antonyms

discourage, frustrate, hinder, inhibit

Related Words

advocate, back, champion, endorse (also indorse), support, uphold; endow, finance, fund, patronize, stake, subsidize, underwrite; abet, aid, assist; advertise, boost, plug, publicize, tout; agitate (for), campaign (for), work (for)

Near Antonyms

ban, bar, enjoin, forbid, interdict, outlaw, prevent, prohibit, proscribe; battle, combat, contend (with), counter, fight, oppose; repress, snuff (out), squash, squelch, stifle, subdue, suppress; arrest, check, halt, retard; encumber, fetter, hobble, impede, interfere (with), manacle, obstruct, shackle

See Synonym Discussion at advance

⁴forward

noun

Definition of FORWARD

: a player who plays at the front of his team's formation near the goal at which his team is attempting to score

First Known Use of FORWARD

1879