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 future-income increases alone greatly exceed the up-front cost of rebuilding, the authors argue. —Idrees Kahloon, The Atlantic, 29 Jan. 2026

An initial 20% up-front grant would be provided to small productions with the final 20% provided upon completion of the project. —City News Service, Daily News, 28 Jan. 2026

Adverb

Thomas Drance Vegas Golden Knights Middle-six forward The Golden Knights already addressed the blue line by trading first- and second-round picks to Calgary for Rasmus Andersson, so any further additions would likely be up front. —The Athletic Nhl Staff, New York Times, 31 Jan. 2026

These incentives might seem straightforward (Extra money up front? —Amy Lindgren, Twin Cities, 31 Jan. 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
• battlefront
• oceanfront
• riverfront
• waterfront
• blunt