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

Leasing data centers The ratings firm noted that because AI hardware and infrastructure require massive up-front investment while revenue materializes over a longer time horizon, free cash flow across the sector is coming under pressure. — Hugh Son, CNBC, 24 July 2026

Many of the best luxury cruise lines offer all-inclusive packages that include everything from drinks and Wi-Fi to select port excursions, and sometimes even flights and transfers to the ship in one up-front cost. — Megan Dubois, Southern Living, 22 July 2026

Adverb

Mostly an interior tackle, Echoles did a little bit of everything up front for the Rebels in his sophomore season (39 pressures as a first-year starter). — Nick Baumgardner, New York Times, 22 July 2026

The next month, Carolina doubled down up front by selecting Monroe Freeling in the first round of the 2026 NFL Draft. — Chantz Martin, FOXNews.com, 22 July 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