up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt 

ˈəp-ˌfrənt

: being or coming in or at the front: such as

a(1)

: frank, forthright

were up-front about their suspicions

(2)

: being in a conspicuous or leading position

b

: paid or payable in advance

up-front cash

c

: playing in a front line (as in football)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in or at the front

chose a seat up front

2

: in advance

paid up front

3

: in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly

expressed his doubts up front

Synonyms of up-front

Adjective

• outspoken
• honest
• candid
• frank
• straightforward
• forthcoming
• forthright

Examples of up-front in a Sentence

Adjective

some hurt feelings could have been spared if he'd been more up-front about whom he was inviting to the party

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Trump himself has said his plan would require billions of dollars in investment up-front from the oil companies. —Jason Abbruzzese, NBC news, 7 Jan. 2026

While Venezuela’s oil reserves are the world’s largest, obstacles include high up-front costs for building out infrastructure, limited profit potential amid today’s low oil prices and continuing concerns about political stability. —Dallas Morning News, 5 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Still, the identity of an offense that amassed more regular-season yardage (6,282) than any of the previous 105 Bears teams was established up front, with a tenacious line and the kind of aggressive running game Johnson embraces. —Dan Wiederer, New York Times, 7 Jan. 2026

Boyer joins Shanahan, Harris, Jones, Lovett and redshirt junior Rod Kearney to give the Gators’ experience core up front to build around. —Edgar Thompson, The Orlando Sentinel, 7 Jan. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for up-front

• affront
• confront
• exeunt
• forefront
• lakefront
• manhunt
• sederunt
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront
• blunt