up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt How to pronounce up-front (audio)
ˈəp-ˌfrənt
: being or coming in or at the front: such as
a(1)
(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

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
This one-time payment may seem like a lot up-front, but Dropbox charges $15 monthly for a similar amount of storage. Stackcommerce Team, PC Magazine, 18 May 2025 The project was also supported with a $50 million up-front financial incentive from the city, which is set to be paid back through taxes generated by the project through a tax increment financing district, also called a TIF, or by Penn Entertainment directly if the taxes produced are not enough. R. Christian Smith, Chicago Tribune, 18 May 2025
Adverb
This kind of obstacle could be avoided with proper research and preparation up front. Roy Ward, Forbes.com, 16 May 2025 California state law bans businesses from selling a product without including the full cost, including those mandatory fees, up front. Maura Fox, San Diego Union-Tribune, 16 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for up-front

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-front was in 1937

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 24 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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