fore

1 of 6

noun

: something that occupies a front position

fore

2 of 6

adverb

1
: in, toward, or near the front : forward
The plane's exits are located fore and aft.
2
obsolete : at an earlier time or period

fore

3 of 6

adjective

1
: situated in front of something else : forward
2
: prior in order of occurrence : former

fore

4 of 6

preposition

variants or less commonly 'fore
1
: in the presence of
2
chiefly dialectal : before

fore

5 of 6

interjection

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

fore-

6 of 6

combining form

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
Phrases
to the fore
: in or into a position of prominence : forward

Examples of fore in a Sentence

Adverb The plane's exits are located fore and aft. Adjective the fore and aft cabins cats have five fore toes but only four hind toes Preposition set out early with the hope of arriving fore the sunset fore the stranger there swarmed a gaggle of curious street urchins
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
As the next generation of filmmakers comes to the fore, with a record-breaking number of emerging filmmakers, the stories on screen represent the most diverse collection of voices ever heard at APSA. Sara Merican, Deadline, 30 Nov. 2024 As the harsh realities of eking out a life on a remote island set in, tensions on Floreana rose, and the islanders’ competing concepts of utopia came to the fore. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Nov. 2024
Adjective
Chinese are also in fore front of creating EV infrastructure and companies like Nio and CATL also offer battery swapping. Sarwant Singh, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 These issues were brought to the fore last year during the SAG-AFTRA strike. Megan Poinski, Forbes, 19 Sep. 2024 See all Example Sentences for fore 

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

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

Adjective and Noun

fore-

Interjection

probably short for before

Combining form

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

First Known Use

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Interjection

circa 1878, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of fore was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near fore

Cite this Entry

“Fore.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fore. Accessed 6 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

fore

1 of 5 adverb
ˈfō(ə)r How to pronounce fore (audio)
ˈfȯ(ə)r
: in, toward, or near the front : forward

fore

2 of 5 adjective
: being or coming before in time, order, or space

fore

3 of 5 noun
: a front place or position
came to the fore

fore

4 of 5 interjection
used by a golfer to warn anyone within range of a hit ball

fore-

5 of 5 combining form
1
a
: earlier : beforehand
foresee
b
: occurring earlier : occurring beforehand
forethought
2
a
: situated at the front : in front
foreleg
b
: front part of (something specified)
forearm
Etymology

Combining form

Old English fore- "earlier, beforehand"

Medical Definition

fore

adjective
: situated in front of something else

More from Merriam-Webster on fore

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