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 help his neighbors

b

: lacking modesty or reserve : brash

had a very forward manner

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

7

a

: characterized by : full of

—used in combination

… the region produces simple, fruit-forward wines with good value.

—Brad Stone

b

: marked by a strong preference for, an emphasis on, or a tendency toward

—used in combination

… a nutritionist and plant-forward chef …

—Stacey Colino

… practical and future-forward ways to give employees better work-life balance, well-being, autonomy and purpose.

—Niccolo Perro

see also fashion-forward

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

see also:

bring forward look forward put forward set 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 of the team's formation near the opponent's goal

a forward in hockey

Synonyms of forward

Adjective

• familiar
• arrogant

Adverb

• forwards
• onward
• along
• forth
• ahead

Verb

• encourage
• promote
• cultivate
• foster
• nurture
• further

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

The type of forward progress that helps this team heal in time. — Omar Kelly, Miami Herald, 11 Oct. 2026

In IconArrows pointing outwards The firm also found that the median performance for S&P 500 forward returns following a breakout of 40% year-over-year margin debt growth has been worse off 12 months later as opposed to one month after it. — Sean Conlon, CNBC, 9 Oct. 2026

Adverb

Fast forward to today, and Hazle Township, the area where Hazleton sits at the foot of the Poconos, is still making headlines. — Sasha Rogelberg, Fortune, 11 Oct. 2026

Such plaudits raise the question of how Movistar Plus moves forward from here. — John Hopewell, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Verb

The police department said the tip was flagged as spam and was never forwarded to homicide investigators. — ABC News, 12 Oct. 2026

Unfortunately for them, more than just their mail ends up getting forwarded. — Sara Netzley, Entertainment Weekly, 11 Oct. 2026

Noun

The kitchen brings that same fruit-forward touch to the truite au crabe, stuffing butterflied trout with crabmeat and baking it in foil alongside fennel root, sweet apples and a bubbly potato gratin. — Angela Hansberger, AJC.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Fast forward 100 years and Giona’s great-grandson Claudio Vicentini is forging new design-forward collections and collaborations, while trying to keep chandeliers relevant in a contemporary age. — Sofia Celeste, Footwear News, 8 Oct. 2026

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
• going 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