forward

1 of 4

adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd 

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 help his neighbors

b

: lacking modesty or reserve : brash

had a very forward manner

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 of the team's formation near the opponent's goal

a forward in hockey

Synonyms of forward

Adjective

• familiar
• proud
• arrogant

Adverb

• forwards
• onward
• along
• forth
• ahead

Verb

• encourage
• promote
• cultivate
• foster
• nurture
• further

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

Gotta replenish that forward depth with Aaron Gordon or Peyton Watson on the mend. —Sean Keeler, Denver Post, 7 Feb. 2026

The axel jump is the only one in figure skating that begins with a forward takeoff. —Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Adverb

An alliance with a party who has not put forward a single woman candidate, feels like a betrayal. —Rhea Mogul, CNN Money, 10 Feb. 2026

The Pistons forward retaliated with his own punch. —Scott Thompson, FOXNews.com, 10 Feb. 2026

Verb

Redshirt sophomore forwards Jana El Alfy and Ayanna Patterson may also see increased minutes. —Emily Adams, Hartford Courant, 7 Feb. 2026

The demonstration marked the first time an eVTOL in the five-ton class has flown from vertical takeoff to forward cruise and back to vertical landing in a single sequence. —Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 6 Feb. 2026

Noun

The forward has spent much of his rookie season adapting to different roles, learning when to attack and when to move the ball along, when to trust the read and when to slow himself down. —C.j. Holmes, New York Daily News, 10 Feb. 2026

In Paris, Boubalé also plays around with its spritz for the winter by veering away from the drink’s bitterness and citrus-forward profile. —Chadner Navarro, Vogue, 10 Feb. 2026

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

Phrases Containing forward

• bring forward
• center forward
• come forward
• fashion-forward
• fast-forward
• flash-forward
• forward air controller
• forward-looking
• forward of
• forward pass
• forward-thinking
• from that day forth/forward
• go forward
• going forward
• know something backward and forward
• look forward
• power forward
• prop forward
• put forward
• put one's best foot forward
• set forward
• small forward
• step backward/forward
• step forward

Rhymes for forward

• shoreward
• carryforward
• equatorward
• henceforward
• straightforward
• thenceforward

Kids Definition

forward

1 of 4 adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd 

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