forward

1 of 4

adjective

for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce forward (audio)
 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
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. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Adjective
Unique design features include the rocker-style EVA midsole (for forward propulsion and high energy rebound) and the 3D TPU plate located under the forefoot for enhanced stability. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 21 Nov. 2023 The living quarters feature an elegant main salon with a wet bar and a swanky forward dining area. Rachel Cormack, Robb Report, 30 Oct. 2023 Spider-Man 2 takes some bold swings in the service of forward motion. Richard Newby, The Hollywood Reporter, 24 Oct. 2023 The wings were designed to capture crosswinds to help provide forward propulsion, like a sail, along with electric motors or gasoline engines. Peter Valdes-Dapena, CNN, 18 Oct. 2023 The problem was the seeming inevitability of the juggernaut, the constancy of its forward motion, and the inefficacy of mere individuals in the face of such odds. Christopher Ketcham, Harper's Magazine, 16 Oct. 2023 The promise of a longer-looking neck may sound appealing to those with kyphosis, a forward curvature of the upper spine — casually known as a hunchback — but unfortunately, traptox is unlikely to make a difference in its appearance. Marci Robin, Allure, 25 Sep. 2023 By December, 2017, Luton was the highest-scoring team in the country—the forward James Collins finished the season with twenty-five goals—and subsequently earned another promotion. Simon Akam, The New Yorker, 10 Nov. 2023 This compressed air gets hot and in turn heats up the forward surface of the falling object. WIRED, 10 Nov. 2023
Adverb
Right now, inflation and interest rates dominate headlines, and will continue to be impactful moving forward. Joseph Farizo, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023 Greene said she was assured by House Speaker Mike Johnson and Homeland Security Committee Chair Mark Green that the process would move forward in committee. Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 30 Nov. 2023 Others who faced lawsuits brought forward by the ASA include Steven Tyler, former Recording Academy CEO Neil Portnow, Anti-Flag singer Justin Geever (a.k.a. Ethan Millman, Rolling Stone, 30 Nov. 2023 So that gets to continue forward, after this album cycle. Chris Willman, Variety, 30 Nov. 2023 Cory Farmer, another member of the GCC Housing Team, said the Novak report is an excellent resource for moving the city’s housing department forward. Pitchfork, 30 Nov. 2023 The defense has claimed that authorities failed to properly evaluate his account before moving forward with misdemeanor charges. Aaron Katersky, ABC News, 30 Nov. 2023 The 4-1 decision allows the La Mesa Police Department to move forward with a plan to purchase 20 cameras from Flock Safety to install throughout the city. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 30 Nov. 2023 The night’s only blemish was a right knee injury suffered by reserve Norman Powell in the fourth quarter after he was run into by Kings forward Harrison Barnes. Andrew Greif, Los Angeles Times, 30 Nov. 2023
Verb
When the national Blue Cross Blue Shield Association made an announcement about CAR-T coverage later in 2018, employees at Priority Health forwarded it to one another. Maya Miller, ProPublica, 15 Nov. 2023 In accordance with company rules on media contacts — and the nondisclosure agreement every employee signs upon accepting a job at Facebook — several employees dutifully forwarded my message to Facebook’s PR team, and a couple of others sent me polite notes declining to speak. Jeff Horwitz, Rolling Stone, 11 Nov. 2023 The Markup reached out to 24 consumers whose posts were forwarded to LAPD officers, and three people responded. Lam Thuy Vo, Los Angeles Times, 11 Oct. 2023 On Monday, Menendez seemed to swipe at those who are using his indictment to forward their political campaigns. Allison Pecorin, ABC News, 26 Sep. 2023 But based on surveillance video that Weinstein forwarded to The Post, the drivers appear to know one another given their interactions after the incident. Tim Carman, Washington Post, 10 Nov. 2023 WhatsApp has added more features, ranging from simple emoji reactions and message forwarding to disappearing messages and supporting the app across other devices, like Macs and Windows desktop computers. Mike Isaac, New York Times, 8 Nov. 2023 The case will later be forwarded to Howard County Prosecutor's Office to review investigators' findings. Emma Colton, Fox News, 18 Oct. 2023 From there, Plastiq will either mail your mortgage company a check or forward your payment via an ACH transfer on your behalf. Michelle Lambright Black, wsj.com, 18 Oct. 2023
Noun
That will help workers install the tips of the rockets, known as the forward assembly, which includes the nose cone and forward skirt. Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 10 Nov. 2023 Pick a city, any city, on the National Basketball Association’s 30-team circuit, and Kelly Olynyk, a forward for the Utah Jazz, has deep knowledge of the local restaurant scene. Gerald Narciso, New York Times, 2 Nov. 2023 Hermoso now plays as a forward for Mexican club Pachuca. Natalie Kainz, NBC News, 30 Oct. 2023 Osborne, a 6-1 senior forward, arrived from Mark Keppel High last season and became the Santa Fe League most valuable player, averaging 22.6 points. Eric Sondheimer, Los Angeles Times, 15 Oct. 2023 Jimmy Butler, a forward for the Miami Heat, has never been concerned with what anyone expects of him. Scott Cacciola, New York Times, 3 Oct. 2023 Kimbrough, a forward for the Sacramento Republic FC, came off the bench Sunday against the Las Vegas Lights in the USL Championship. Chelsea Hylton, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 Dallas sent 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goaltenders north to participate, one of four NHL teams doing so. Sportsday Staff, Dallas News, 15 Sep. 2023 Sardar Azmoun, a forward on the team, has been the most vocal champion of the uprising. Victoria Bisset, Washington Post, 16 Sep. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'forward.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

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

Dictionary Entries Near forward

Cite this Entry

“Forward.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forward. Accessed 5 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

forward

1 of 4 adjective
for·​ward ˈfȯr-wərd How to pronounce forward (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on forward

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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