forward

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

Synonyms of forward

• 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

Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department.

Please forward my mail to my new address.

Recent Examples on the Web

Both teams’ forwards pressure real hard and are very physical while their defensemen are very active pinching deep, which results in extended zone time and wearing the opposition down. —Pierre Lebrun, New York Times, 1 June 2026

The Chicago Blackhawks traded the signing rights to forward Jack Pridham, their third-round draft pick in 2024, to the Tampa Bay Lightning on Monday in exchange for a 2027 third-round pick. —Kalen Lumpkins, Chicago Tribune, 1 June 2026

It was forwarded to their curator, Sophia Tian, and we got connected. —Michael James Rocha, San Diego Union-Tribune, 31 May 2026

The concerned wharf staff forwarded the package to the office of the carrier of record, Wells Fargo and Co. —Kurt Snibbe, Oc Register, 29 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

First Known Use

1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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