fore

adverb \ ˈfȯr \

Updated on: 10 Apr 2018

Definition of fore

1 obsolete : at an earlier time or period

2 : in, toward, or near the front : forward

The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

See fore defined for English-language learners

See fore defined for kids

Examples of fore in a Sentence

The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

Recent Examples of fore from the Web

On Thursday at Bay Hill, Tiger had some huge misses to both sides with both of those clubs, one of which (fore right on 3) kept this round from being a really low one.

— daniel rapaport, SI.com, "Tiger Woods Round Recap: Tiger Opens With 4-Under 68 at Bay Hill, Four Behind Stenson," 15 Mar. 2018
Active Ride Control moderates fore-aft pitching of the vehicle over bumps in the road by controlling the engine and brakes, for a smoother ride.

— emma jayne williams, star-telegram, "Nissan adds smaller Rogue Sport model to crossover lineup, starting at $21,420 | Fort Worth Star-Telegram," 27 Jan. 2018
Only fore-teen Fourteen year-old amateur golfer Atthaya Thitikul won the Ladies European Thailand Championship on Sunday, making her the youngest known winner of a professional golf tour event.

— claire zillman, Fortune, "The World’s Most Powerful Women: July 11," 11 July 2017
Up and down the hydraulic arms went; fore and aft tipped the bucket.

— bulletin board, Twin Cities, "Sunday Bulletin Board: Texting pilots “to reduce flight delays”: What could possibly go wrong with that?," 23 Apr. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'fore.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of fore

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English for

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

fore

preposition \ ˈfȯr \

variants: or less commonly 'fore

Definition of fore

1 chiefly dialectal : before

2 : in the presence of

Examples of fore in a Sentence

fore the baby's arrival, the young couple had been able to cope with their problems
fore the stranger there swarmed a gaggle of curious street urchins

Origin and Etymology of fore

see ¹fore

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

See Words from the same year

fore

adjective

Definition of fore

1 : situated in front of something else : forward

2 : prior in order of occurrence : former

See fore defined for English-language learners

Examples of fore in a Sentence

the fore and aft cabins
cats have five fore toes but only four hind toes

Recent Examples of fore from the Web

A unique fen and about half the site is now forest preserve land.

— mike danahey, Elgin Courier-News, "Elgin still discussing land lease to charter school group," 27 June 2017

Origin and Etymology of fore

fore-

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 15th century

See Words from the same year

fore Synonyms

fore

noun

Definition of fore

: something that occupies a front position

— to the fore

: in or into a position of prominence : forward

See fore defined for English-language learners

Recent Examples of fore from the Web

And then there are Senate Democrats running in other states where pocketbook issues, trade and health care rise to the fore.

— chad pergram, Fox News, "The left is revved up about gun control - but it may not significantly help Dems in key midterm races," 5 Apr. 2018
Passionate battles for racial and gender equality extended to fashion and decorative arts, bringing to the fore the concept of anonymous – or unisex and democratic – designs.

— The Cut, "The Women-Led History (and Evolution) of Cult Brand Marimekko," 5 Apr. 2018
The idea of Jesus as a pop superstar, always present in the Rice and Webber’s story, was brought to the fore quite effectively.

— matthew gilbert, BostonGlobe.com, "NBC’s exhilarating ‘Jesus Christ Superstar Live in Concert’ pulses with energy," 2 Apr. 2018
The show has more talking than action, and conversations are ordinary — why are there only two kinds of bagels for breakfast? — until deeper issues come to the fore.

— matthew j. palm, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Thoughtful 'Luckiest People' makes the everyday compelling," 31 Mar. 2018
On Facebook and Psychological Manipulation The Cambridge Analytica case brought many users fear of psychological manipulation to the fore.

— alexis c. madrigal, The Atlantic, "What Congress Should Ask Mark Zuckerberg," 28 Mar. 2018
But this year has seen a number of worries come to the fore.

— The Economist, "More market volatility seems likely," 28 Mar. 2018
Sometimes, the worst parts of me were brought to the fore by this love.

— kasandra brabaw, refinery29.com, "Can You Make Your Brain Fall Out Of Love?," 28 Mar. 2018
On the band’s second album, Rock Island, guitarist Eve Alpert and Kasra Kurt build a rhythm section backdrop, and bassist Gerasimos Livitsanos and Hugo Stanley step to the fore. On Rock Island, the results are esoteric, inventive, and catchy.

— dan deluca, Philly.com, "Dan DeLuca's Mix Picks: Glen Hansard, Drive-By Truckers, and Kanye and Bruce Madness," 22 Mar. 2018

Origin and Etymology of fore

see ³fore

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1637

See Words from the same year

fore

interjection

Definition of fore

—used by a golfer to warn anyone within range of the probable line of flight of the ball

Origin and Etymology of fore

probably short for before

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1878

See Words from the same year

fore-

combining form

Definition of fore-

1 a : earlier : beforehand

foresee

b : occurring earlier : occurring beforehand

foreshock

2 a : situated at the front : in front

foreleg

b : front part of (something specified)

forearm

c : foremast

foretop

Origin and Etymology of fore-

Middle English for-, fore-, from Old English fore-, from fore, adverb

FORE Defined for English Language Learners

fore

adverb

Definition of fore for English Language Learners

: toward or at the front part of a boat, ship, or airplane

fore

adjective

Definition of fore for English Language Learners

: located at the front of a boat, ship, or airplane

fore-

combining form

Definition of fore- for English Language Learners

: earlier
: located at the front
: front or lower part of (something specified)

FORE Defined for Kids

fore

adverb \ ˈfȯr \

Definition of fore for Students

: in or toward the front

The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

fore

adjective

Definition of fore for Students

: being or coming before in time, place, or order

the ship's fore hold

fore

noun

Definition of fore for Students

: ¹front 1

the ship's fore

fore

interjection

Definition of fore for Students

—used by a golfer to warn someone within range of a hit ball

fore-

prefix

Definition of fore- for Students

1 : earlier : beforehand

foresee

2 : at the front : in front

foreleg

3 : front part of something specified

forearm

Medical Dictionary

fore

adjective \ ˈfō(ə)r, ˈfȯ(ə)r \

medical Definition of fore

: situated in front of something else

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fore

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Origin and Etymology of fore

fore

Definition of fore

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FORE Defined for English Language Learners

fore

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fore

Definition of fore for English Language Learners

fore-

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FORE Defined for Kids

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Medical Dictionary

fore

medical Definition of fore

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