forth

adverb \ ˈfȯrth \

Updated on: 14 May 2018

Definition of forth

1 : onward in time, place, or order : forward

from that day forth

2 : out into notice or view

put forth leaves

lava bursting forth from the volcano

3 obsolete : away, abroad

See forth defined for English-language learners

See forth defined for kids

Examples of forth in a Sentence

a flow of lava bursting forth from the earth
The snow is gone and the flowers are ready to spring forth.
He went forth to spread the news.
She stretched forth her hands in prayer.

Recent Examples of forth from the Web

After months of back-and-forth with conservative advocates, the White House ultimately stopped the plan.

— dino grandoni, Washington Post, "The Energy 202: Scott Pruitt's 'red team-blue team' debate prep largely left out mainstream climate scientists," 10 May 2018
One of his most recent projects, the 410-home Rush Valley, also in Southeast Boise, was approved last month after more than a year of back-and-forth with city leaders.

— sven berg, idahostatesman, "This developer already plans 410 houses in Southeast Boise. Now he seeks 121 more | Idaho Statesman," 7 May 2018
West, the hip-hop star, is a Trump supporter and recently engaged in a back-and-forth with Trump on Twitter.

— geoffrey c. arnold, OregonLive.com, "Donald Trump to invite Colin Kaepernick, Kanye West to participate in race summit: Report," 4 May 2018
The producer now comes forth with his debut album, The Mystifying Oracle, which runs 13 tracks deep.

— david rishty, Billboard, "Ghastly Breaks Down His Debut Album 'The Mystifying Oracle': Exclusive," 4 May 2018
As landscapes in the Northern hemisphere spring back into Technicolor bliss, consider the science behind those brilliantly colored, supple flowers, green succulent ferns and towering deciduous trees bursting forth.

— Discover Magazine, "At the Cutting Edge of Plant Science," 2 May 2018
The tip of a knife will cause the heady filling to burst forth, to be spooned around.

— david tanis, New York Times, "A Deluxe Asparagus Frittata, Topped With Burrata," 27 Apr. 2018
In recent days, Youkilis has shared his opinions and engaged in back-and-forth with others on Twitter about youth travel teams, specializing in one sport and related hot-button topics.

— dave clark, Cincinnati.com, "Kevin Youkilis completes UC degree," 24 Apr. 2018
Is the prone deer the Trump Family, playing dead to trick the greedy reptile into a fatal mistake, ready to burst forth from its enemy’s distended, overtaxed guts in triumph, perhaps while wearing a tiny red MAGA hat?

— mark lisanti, Vanities, "The Trump Family Power Rankings: Week Ending April 20, 2018," 21 Apr. 2018

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

Origin and Etymology of forth

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

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

forth Synonyms

Synonyms

ahead, along, forward, forwards, on, onward (also onwards);

Near Antonyms

back, backward (or backwards), behind, rearward (also rearwards);

forth

preposition

Definition of forth

archaic

: forth from : out of

Origin and Etymology of forth

see ¹forth

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: circa 1575

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

Forth

geographical name \ ˈfȯrth \

Definition of Forth

river 116 miles (187 kilometers) long in south central Scotland flowing east into the Firth of Forth, an estuary 48 miles (77 kilometers) long that is an inlet of the North Sea