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

Still, startups rely on GPUs because designing a custom ASIC has an even higher up-front cost, starting at tens of millions of dollars, according to Miller. —Katie Tarasov, CNBC, 21 Nov. 2025

Under the new policy, institutes now offer multiyear funding for a project up-front. —Surina Venkat, The Hill, 8 Nov. 2025

Adverb

The program ended in 2023 after the Department of Education began requiring the school to pay costs up front and apply for reimbursement. —Center Square, The Washington Examiner, 26 Nov. 2025

The leg-baring number boasted a plunging neckline, a zip-up front and a matching belt. —Kelsey Stewart, Footwear News, 23 Nov. 2025

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