up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt 

ˈəp-ˌfrənt

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

a(1)

: frank, forthright

(2)

: being in a conspicuous or leading position

b

: paid or payable in advance

c

: playing in a front line (as in football)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

1

: in or at the front

2

: in advance

3

: in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly

Synonyms

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

Promotional prices may vary by region, and professional installation can add to up-front costs. —Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 20 Oct. 2025

That’s an enormous up-front investment for pediatric practices, generally second only to employees in terms of cost. —Katherine J. Wu, The Atlantic, 3 Oct. 2025

Adverb

The future prototype has a large set of wheels up front and two smaller pairs in the back. —Bryan Hood, Robb Report, 29 Oct. 2025

Eberechi Eze remains their key creative spark, capable of unlocking defenses with his dribbling and vision, while Odsonne Édouard’s movement up front offers a constant outlet on the counter. —Ben Verbrugge, MSNBC Newsweek, 26 Oct. 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