fast-for·ward
ˌfas(t)-ˈfȯr-wərd 
often attributive
1
: a function of an electronic device that advances a recording at a higher than normal speed
2
: a state or an instance of rapid advancement
put her career in fast-forward
fast-forwarded; fast-forwarding; fast-forwards
1
: to advance (a magnetic tape) using the fast-forward of a tape player
2
: to bypass (something, such as a commercial) by fast-forwarding
1
: to advance a magnetic tape using the fast-forward
2
: to proceed rapidly forward especially in time
fast-forward to the future
Examples of fast-forward in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2023
The wedding, in my memory, is a fuzzy home movie on fast-forward.
—Joan Niesen, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
In 2013 there was one Series A round led by a female founder, and fast-forward to 2022, there were 39 A rounds led by female founders.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2023
The deal with Roche represents a fast-forward case study of just how lucrative that can be.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
Concerned that users might want to pause a program to rewind, fast-forward, or even change settings on the service, executives opted to wait five seconds between the initial pause and the time a commercial appears on screen, Helfand says.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023
Five years is a long time, especially in a car industry permanently on fast-forward to meet looming bans on internal combustion.
—WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
The trailer fast-forwards to years later, where Tashi is now Art’s tennis coach (and wife) ahead of a Challengers tennis tournament, where the two former best friends will have to face each other on the court.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2023
Being hyper-focused on what people are saying and trying hard not to break your attention might seem like a way to fast-forward a friendship and make meaningful connections.
—Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 16 June 2023
Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2023
Let’s fast-forward to Kerry Condon’s look at this year’s Golden Globes.
—Monica Corcoran Harel, Variety, 8 Mar. 2023
Preparation was very minimal compared to … fast-forward ten years to Madonna.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2023
Hitting Pause on High-End Over the next decade, cassette sales were on fast-forward — but the format struggled to attract audiophiles, who stuck with vinyl.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
Meanwhile, Georgia will not be holding an early primary, despite the DNC’s fast-forward schedule.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2023
See More
Noun
Each season, For All Mankind fast-forwards into the future, hurling its characters into the next decade.
—Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 11 Nov. 2023
The wedding, in my memory, is a fuzzy home movie on fast-forward.
—Joan Niesen, Washington Post, 6 Nov. 2023
In 2013 there was one Series A round led by a female founder, and fast-forward to 2022, there were 39 A rounds led by female founders.
—Ruhama Wolle, Glamour, 3 Nov. 2023
The deal with Roche represents a fast-forward case study of just how lucrative that can be.
—Damian Garde, STAT, 24 Oct. 2023
Concerned that users might want to pause a program to rewind, fast-forward, or even change settings on the service, executives opted to wait five seconds between the initial pause and the time a commercial appears on screen, Helfand says.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 23 Oct. 2023
Five years is a long time, especially in a car industry permanently on fast-forward to meet looming bans on internal combustion.
—WIRED, 6 Sep. 2023
The trailer fast-forwards to years later, where Tashi is now Art’s tennis coach (and wife) ahead of a Challengers tennis tournament, where the two former best friends will have to face each other on the court.
—Tomás Mier, Rolling Stone, 20 June 2023
Being hyper-focused on what people are saying and trying hard not to break your attention might seem like a way to fast-forward a friendship and make meaningful connections.
—Richard A. Friedman, The Atlantic, 16 June 2023
Verb
The Spurs flipped to the Hawks – then considered a burgeoning playoff team – for a slew of future draft picks that could fast-forward their reconstruction project.
—Jeff McDonald, San Antonio Express-News, 18 Mar. 2023
Let’s fast-forward to Kerry Condon’s look at this year’s Golden Globes.
—Monica Corcoran Harel, Variety, 8 Mar. 2023
Preparation was very minimal compared to … fast-forward ten years to Madonna.
—Andy Greene, Rolling Stone, 2 Mar. 2023
Hitting Pause on High-End Over the next decade, cassette sales were on fast-forward — but the format struggled to attract audiophiles, who stuck with vinyl.
—Joe Lynch, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2023
Meanwhile, Georgia will not be holding an early primary, despite the DNC’s fast-forward schedule.
—Walter Shapiro, The New Republic, 17 Feb. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'fast-forward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
Noun
1947, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Verb
1965, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1
Dictionary Entries Near fast-forward
Cite this Entry
“Fast-forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fast-forward. Accessed 4 Dec. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
fast-forward
1 of 2 noun
fast-for·ward
ˌfast-ˈfȯr-wərd
1
: a function of an electronic device that advances a recording at a higher than normal speed
2
: a state of rapid advancement
fast-forward
2 of 2 verb1
: to advance (a tape) at a high speed
2
: to advance rapidly especially in time
fast-forward to the future
More from Merriam-Webster on fast-forward
Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fast-forward
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