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

• familiar
• proud
• arrogant

Adverb

• forwards
• onwards
• onward
• along
• forth

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

Any de-pegging event, however brief, would echo through the IPO’s forward guidance and spook Asian regulators still on the fence. —Zennon Kapron, Forbes.com, 25 June 2025

The forward headquarters of Central Command, it also was used in the fight against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria. —Meg Kinnard, Los Angeles Times, 24 June 2025

Adverb

History has repeatedly shown that socialism doesn’t work, as ideas that seem good in theory often turn into a mess of government bureaucracy, inefficiency, and inertia, setting society and living standards back instead of moving them forward. —Time, 26 June 2025

In 2026-27, Warriors guard Stephen Curry is slated to become the first player with an annual salary exceeding $60 million, and Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum will break the $70 million barrier in 2029-30. —Justin Birnbaum, Forbes.com, 26 June 2025

Verb

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks to the media after the House narrowly passed a bill forwarding President Donald Trump's agenda at the Capitol on May 22, 2025. —Eric Rosenbaum, CNBC, 26 June 2025

Elo-Rivera will be asking fellow committee members to allow his office to work with the City Attorney on drafting a minimum wage ordinance that would eventually be forwarded to the full council. —Lori Weisberg, San Diego Union-Tribune, 24 June 2025

Noun

But about the 2025-26 roster … Earlier Friday, the Blue Jackets traded minor-league forward Gavin Brindley, a third-round pick in this year’s draft (No. 77 overall) and a conditional second-round pick in 2027 to the Colorado Avalanche for Coyle and Wood. —Aaron Portzline, New York Times, 28 June 2025

Man City's forward has scored at least 22 goals in three consecutive seasons and has one already during this Club World Cup campaign. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 June 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