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

The agreement includes increased up-front bonuses and 24% wage increases over five years. —Alex Harring, CNBC, 14 Nov. 2025

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

Adverb

Gone, too, are dashboard displays, and, in fact, any sort of screen at all up front. —Erik Shilling, Robb Report, 18 Nov. 2025

The 2021 concept e-trike featured a single wheel up front and two to the rear, with the latter connected to the frame via a pivoting axle. —New Atlas, 14 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