forward

1 of 4

adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd 

 also  ˈfō-,

 or  ˈfȯ-,

 Southern also  ˈfär-

1

a

: near, being at, or belonging to the forepart

the forward section of the main deck

b

: situated in advance

Baggage is carried in the forward cars of the train.

2

a

: strongly inclined : ready

always forward to criticize his neighbors

b

: lacking modesty or reserve : brash

Poorly disciplined children are often distressingly forward.

3

: notably advanced or developed : precocious

The child is very forward at walking.

4

: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front

checked the forward movement of the dog

also : moving toward an opponent's goal

5

a

: advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress

a firm forward policy

b

: extreme, radical

on the forward fringe of conservatism

6

: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future

forward buying of produce

forwardly adverb

forwardness noun

forward

2 of 4

adverb

: to or toward what is ahead or in front

from that time forward

moved slowly forward

forward

3 of 4

verb

forwarded; forwarding; forwards

transitive verb

1

: to help onward : promote

forwarded his friend's career

2

a

: to send forward : transmit

will forward the goods on receipt of your check

b

: to send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit

forward mail

forward

4 of 4

noun

: a player who plays at the front the team's formation near the opponent's goal

a forward in hockey

Synonyms

Adjective

• bold
• familiar
• free
• immodest
• overfamiliar
• presuming
• presumptuous

Adverb

• ahead
• along
• forth
• forwards
• on
• onward
• onwards

Verb

• advance
• cultivate
• encourage
• foster
• further
• incubate
• nourish
• nurse
• nurture
• promote

Choose the Right Synonym for forward

advance, promote, forward, further mean to help (someone or something) to move ahead.

advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.

advance the cause of peace

promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.

a campaign to promote better health

forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.

a wage increase would forward productivity

further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.

used the marriage to further his career

Examples of forward in a Sentence

Adjective

the forward deck of a boat

the forward movement of history

a very forward young woman

Adverb

Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes.

He pushed the throttle forward.

She took a small step forward.

The narrative moves backward and forward in time.

The technology has taken a big step forward.

Verb

Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department.

Please forward my mail to my new address.

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Benn played on a forward line at the 2014 Olympics in Sochi with Ryan Getzlaf and Corey Perry, which was dubbed the Big Boy line. —Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 26 Apr. 2025

At current prices, the stock’s dividend yield of 5% is also attractive, and the valuation, at less than 8 times forward earnings, is not demanding. —Kevin Stankiewicz, CNBC, 24 Apr. 2025

Adverb

There may be an opportunity to move things forward at this time, such as deciding to move, sign a fresh lease or make a change to your living environment. —Kyle Thomas, People.com, 27 Apr. 2025

For more than an hour on Saturday, Maresca’s team did not allow Everton to fight them to a standstill and, helped greatly by the return of Romeo Lavia, passed forward quickly whenever a chance to do so presented itself. —Liam Twomey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2025

Verb

If the Warriors make the playoffs by advancing through the play-in round, their selection could be No. 18, No. 19 or No. 20, with that Golden State pick then forwarded to the Heat. —Ira Winderman, Sun Sentinel, 13 Apr. 2025

From Bratz dolls to Krusty the Clown: How Trump tariffs are hurting L.A. toy makers More to come, Michael Wilner — Was this newsletter forwarded to you? —Michael Wilner, Los Angeles Times, 10 Apr. 2025

Noun

His efforts have been aided by teammates gaining a better understanding of where to go and what to do to open themselves up for the forward. —Jace Frederick, Twin Cities, 16 Apr. 2025

Dylan Holloway left Thursday’s 5-4 overtime victory against the Pittsburgh Penguins in the first period with a lower-body injury, and Blues coach Jim Montgomery had no update on the forward. —Jeremy Rutherford, New York Times, 4 Apr. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun

Middle English, from Old English foreweard, from fore- + -weard -ward

First Known Use

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1879, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing forward

• bring forward
• center forward
• come forward
• fashion-forward
• fast-forward
• flash-forward
• forward air controller
• forward-looking
• forward of
• forward pass
• forward-thinking
• from that day forth/forward
• go forward
• know something backward and forward
• look forward
• power forward
• prop forward
• put forward
• put one's best foot forward
• set forward
• small forward
• step backward/forward
• step forward

Rhymes for forward

• shoreward
• carryforward
• equatorward
• henceforward
• straightforward
• thenceforward

Kids Definition

forward

1 of 4 adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd 

1

: near, being at, or belonging to the front part

2

: lacking proper modesty or reserve

3

: moving, tending, or leading to a position in front

forwardly adverb

forwardness noun

forward

2 of 4 adverb

: to or toward what is in front

forward

3 of 4 verb

1

: to help onward

forward a friend's career

2

: to send on or forward

forward a letter

forward

4 of 4 noun

: a player who plays at the front of the team near the opponent's goal

Legal Definition

forward

noun

for·​ward

: forward contract at contract