Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus
1

fore

adverb \ ˈfȯr \
|Updated on: 16 Jul 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

  1. The plane's exits are located fore and aft.

Recent Examples of fore from the Web

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

2

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

  1. fore the baby's arrival, the young couple had been able to cope with their problems

  2. fore the stranger there swarmed a gaggle of curious street urchins

Origin and Etymology of fore

see 1fore

3

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

  1. the fore and aft cabins

  2. cats have five fore toes but only four hind toes

Recent Examples of fore from the Web

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

fore-

fore Synonyms

Synonyms

anterior, forward, front, frontal, frontward (or frontwards);

Antonyms

aft, after, hind, hinder, hindmost, posterior, rear, rearward;

Near Antonyms

dorsal;

Related Words

ventral;

4

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

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

see 3fore

5

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

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

1

fore

adverb \ ˈfȯr \

Definition of fore for Students

: in or toward the front
  • The plane's exits are located fore and aft.
2

fore

adjective

Definition of fore for Students

: being or coming before in time, place, or order
  • the ship's fore hold
3

fore

noun

Definition of fore for Students

: 1front 1
  • the ship's fore
4

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

Learn More about fore

  1. See words that rhyme with fore Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for fore Spanish Central: Translation of fore Nglish: Translation of fore for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of fore for Arabic speakers

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up fore? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

show hide

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

WORD OF THE DAY

cerulean

play

resembling the blue of the sky

Get Word of the Day daily email!

TRENDING NOW

  1. hogwash 'nonsense, balderdash'

  2. probity 'adherence to the highest principles and ideals'

  3. sequacious 'intellectually servile'

  4. inadmissible 'not capable of being allowed'

  5. oligarch, pejorative 'a member a government in which a small group exercises control especially for corrupt and selfish purposes'

SEE ALL

BROWSE DICTIONARY

fore

Test Your Vocabulary

Difficult Spelling Words Quiz

  • alphabet-pasta-spelling-help
  • Which is the correct spelling?
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Citation

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games