up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt 

ˈəp-ˌfrənt

variants or upfront

: 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

Spirit operated by the à-la-carte model, condensing the up-front cost to the seat and the seat only, along with one personal item. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 9 May 2026

For me, integrity is paramount and asking questions up-front is a must. —Emily Bryn Williams, Los Angeles Times, 8 May 2026

Adverb

The researchers are very up front that the economic modeling does make assumptions. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 9 May 2026

The Sharks have drafted forwards Will Smith, Macklin Celebrini, and Michael Misa with their last three early first-round picks, and also have wingers Collin Graf, Igor Chernyshov, and William Eklund, and center Zack Ostapchuk as part of their 23-and-under crowd up front. —Curtis Pashelka, Mercury News, 7 May 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
• upfront
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront