Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular presenttense forwards, present participle forwarding, past tense, past participle forwardedIn addition to the uses shown below, forward is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'bring forward' and 'look forward to'. In BritishEnglish, forwards is often used as an adverb instead of forward in senses [sense 1], , [sense 4], and , [sense 7].In addition to the uses shown below, forward is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'bring forward' and 'look forward to'. In BritishEnglish, forwards is often used as an adverb instead of forward in senses [sense 1], , [sense 4], and , [sense 7].
1. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you move or look forward, you move or look in a direction that is in front of you. In British English, youcan also move or look forwards.
He came forward with his hand out. 'Mr and Mrs Selby?' he enquired.
She fell forwards on to her face.
He continued to walk, didn't look at the car, kept his face forward.
2. adverb [beADVERB, ADVERB after verb]
Forward means in a position near the front of something such as a building or a vehicle.
The best seats are in the aisle and as far forward as possible.
The other car had a 3-inch lower driving seat and had its engine mounted furtherforward.
Forward is also an adjective.
Reinforcements were needed to allow more troops to move to forward positions.
3.
See forward of
4. adverb [usually ADVERB after verb, oft ADVERB adjective]
If you say that someone looks forward, you approve of them because they think about what will happen in the future and plan for it. In British English, you can also say that someone looks forwards.
[approval]
Now the leadership wants to look forward, and to outline a strategy for the restof the decade.
People should forget and look forwards.
Manchester United has always been a forward-looking club.
Forward is also an adjective.
The university system requires more forward planning.
5. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If you put a clock or watch forward, you change the time shown on it so that it shows a later time, for example when the time changes to summer time or daylight saving time.
When we put the clocks forward in March we go into British Summer Time.
6. adverb [from n ADV]
When you are referring to a particular time, if you say that something was true from that time forward, you mean that it became true at that time, and continued to be true afterwards.
Velazquez's work from that time forward was confined largely to portraits of theroyal family.
7. adverb [ADVERB after verb, noun ADVERB]
You use forward to indicate that something progresses or improves. In British English, you can also use forwards.
And by boosting economic prosperity in Mexico, Canada and the United States, it willhelp us move forward on issues that concern all of us.
They just couldn't see any way forward.
Space scientists and astronomers have taken another step forwards.
8. verb
If you forward something, you cause it to progress or improve.
[written]
The music is used to forward the plot, not simply to keep the toes tapping. [VERB noun]
...the scientist who has done the most to forward the cause of public understanding. [VERB noun]
9. adverb [ADVERB after verb]
If something or someone is put forward, or comes forward, they are suggested or offered as suitable for a particular purpose.
Over the years several similar theories have been put forward.
Next month the Commission is to bring forward its first proposals for action.
He was putting himself forward as a Democrat.
Investigations have ground to a standstill because no witnesses have come forward.
Synonyms: into the open, out, to light, to the front More Synonyms of forward
10. verb
If a letter or message is forwardedto someone, it is sent to the place where they are, after having been sent to a differentplace earlier.
When he's out on the road, office calls are forwarded to the cellular phone in histruck. [beV-ed + from/to]
We will forward your letters to him. [V n + from/to]
If you describe someone as forward, you mean that they speak very confidently and honestly but they do not always show enough respect for the person they are talking to.
He's very forward and confident and chats happily to other people.
Synonyms: presumptuous, confident, familiar, bold More Synonyms of forward
forwardnessuncountable noun
Rather taken aback by such forwardness, I slammed down the phone.
Synonyms: impertinence, cheek [informal], familiarity, boldness More Synonyms of forward
12. countable noun
In football, basketball, or hockey, a forward is a player whose usual position is in the opponents' half of the field, and whose usual job is to attack or score goals.
13. See also centre-forward
14. backwards and forwards
More Synonyms of forward
forward in British English
(ˈfɔːwəd)
adjective
1.
directed or moving ahead
2.
lying or situated in or near the front part of something
3.
presumptuous, pert, or impudent
a forward remark
4.
well developed or advanced, esp in physical, material, or intellectual growth or development
forward ideas
5. archaic(often postpositive)
ready, eager, or willing
6.
a.
of or relating to the future or favouring change; progressive
b.
(in combination)
forward-looking
7. finance
relating to fulfilment at a future date
8. New Zealand
(of an animal) in good condition
noun
9.
a.
an email that has been sent to one recipient and then forwarded to another
b.
(in American football) a lineman
10.
an attacking player in any of various sports, such as soccer, hockey, or basketball
adverb
11. a variant of forwards
12. (ˈfɔːwəd, nautical history ˈfɒrəd)
towards the front or bow of an aircraft or ship
13.
into prominence or a position of being subject to public scrutiny; out; forth
the witness came forward
verb(transitive)
14.
to send forward or pass on to an ultimate destination
the letter was forwarded from a previous address
15.
to advance, help, or promote
to forward one's career
16. bookbinding
to prepare (a book) for the finisher
Derived forms
forwardly (ˈforwardly)
adverb
Word origin
Old English foreweard
forward in American English
(ˈfɔrwərd)
adjective
1.
at, toward, or of the front, or forepart
2.
advanced
; specif.,
a.
mentally advanced; precocious
b.
advanced socially, politically, etc.; progressive or radical
c. Rare
ahead of time; early
3.
moving toward a point in front; onward; advancing
4.
ready or eager; prompt
5.
too bold or free in manners; pushing; presumptuous
6.
of or for the future
forward buying
adverb
7.
toward the front or a point in front or before; ahead
8.
to an earlier time or date
to move a meeting forward
9.
toward the future
to look forward
10.
into view or prominence
to bring forward an opinion
noun
11. Basketball and Hockey and Soccer Etc
any of the players, esp. of the offense, in the front line or in a front position
verb transitive
12.
to help advance; promote
13.
to send on, as to another address
to forward mail
SIMILAR WORDS: adˈvance
Derived forms
forwardable (ˈforˌwardable)
adjective
forwardness (ˈforwardness)
noun
Word origin
ME foreward < OE adj. & adv. foreweard: see fore & -ward
More idioms containing
forward
put your best foot forward
Examples of 'forward' in a sentence
forward
They were all in the pool for hours and always looked forward to the shows at night.
The Sun (2016)
We need another great leap forward in our thinking.
The Sun (2016)
Please go back to judging forward passes on your own eyesight.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
But going forward they are a nigh on unstoppable force.
The Sun (2016)
He has taken further steps forward this winter.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
It was also a step forward in demographic thinking, the realisation that generations think and behave differently.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Once people see cases coming through, they're more confident in coming forward to make a complaint.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We so little to change in terms of forward players so we had change the system and,thankfully, worked.
The Sun (2016)
I didn't think my full-backs were getting forward enough.
The Sun (2016)
She is also shown slightly forward of him.
Times, Sunday Times (2013)
They played their part and pushed the players forward.
The Sun (2015)
She needs to take another step forward to land this.
The Sun (2012)
And there was a forward pass in their try.
The Sun (2008)
Your left elbow is held a little further forward than the right.
Villa looked confident going forward and defended strongly until the closing stages.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
We thank him for helping the club go forward.
The Sun (2016)
Was it safe enough to move forward?
Christianity Today (2000)
Their common thing is they get forward and score important goals.
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
That is the forward progress of the band.
The Sun (2008)
It was the crude way he put them forward which caused trouble and ruined his chances.
Lumsden, Robert 23 Steps to Successful Achievement (1972)
Without some form of forward movement the region could slide backwards.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Taste the cherries and plums that come forward towards the end of the sip.
The Sun (2007)
My uncle was leaning so far forward over the wheel his forehead was almost touching the glass.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is possible to carry forward any unused allowances from the previous three years.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
The people putting forward the policy must also be credible.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We played well going forward but we're normally more secure in defence.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It added that it was looking forward more confidently to the next 12 months.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
I sent her a funny forward email and she wrote back and said it was hilarious and how much she loved me.
The Sun (2015)
Like so many players of his hulking build, he was viewed as a forward whose explosive power was not matched by his stamina.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Word lists with
forward
rugby
In other languages
forward
British English: forward /ˈfɔːwəd/ ADVERB
If you move or look forward, you move or look in a direction that is in front of you.
He fell forward on to his face.
American English: forward
Arabic: إلَى الَأمَام
Brazilian Portuguese: adiante
Chinese: 向前地
Croatian: unaprijed
Czech: dopředu
Danish: fremad
Dutch: naar voren
European Spanish: hacia adelante
Finnish: eteenpäin
French: en avant
German: vorwärts
Greek: προς τα εμπρός
Italian: avanti
Japanese: 前方へ
Korean: 앞으로
Norwegian: framover
Polish: naprzód
European Portuguese: adiante
Romanian: înainte
Russian: вперед
Latin American Spanish: hacia adelante
Swedish: framåt
Thai: โดยไปข้างหน้า
Turkish: ileriye
Ukrainian: вперед
Vietnamese: lên trước
British English: forward /ˈfɔːwəd/ VERB
If a letter or message is forwarded to someone, it is sent to the place where they are, after having been sent to a different place earlier.
Calls are forwarded to his mobile from his landline.
American English: forward
Arabic: يُرْسِلُ
Brazilian Portuguese: enviar
Chinese: 转寄
Croatian: proslijediti
Czech: přeposlat
Danish: videresende
Dutch: doorsturen
European Spanish: desviar enviar
Finnish: edistää
French: transmettre
German: weiterleiten
Greek: προωθώ
Italian: inoltrare
Japanese: 転送する
Korean: 전송하다
Norwegian: formidle
Polish: przesłać
European Portuguese: adiantar
Romanian: a înaintaceva
Russian: переадресовывать
Latin American Spanish: remitir
Swedish: befordra
Thai: ส่งต่อ
Turkish: ilerlemek
Ukrainian: відправляти
Vietnamese: chuyển gửi
All related terms of 'forward'
buy forward
If you buy forward , you buy at a future date for a price agreed upon today .
forward of
If one thing is forward of another, especially on a ship or aircraft, the first thing is in front of the second thing or further ahead .
go-forward
forward momentum , esp of a sports team during a match
put forward
If you put forward a plan , proposal , or name, you suggest that it should be considered for a particular purpose or job .
bring forward
If you bring forward a meeting or event, you arrange for it to take place at an earlier date or time than had been planned .
carry forward
to transfer (a balance ) to the next page , column , etc
come forward
If someone comes forward , they offer to do something or to give some information in response to a request for help .
fast-forward
When you fast forward the tape in a video or tape recorder or when you fast forward , you make the tape go forwards. Compare → rewind .
flash-forward
an interruption in the continuity of a story, play, film, etc. by the narration or portrayal of some future episode
forward bias
a voltage applied to a circuit or device, esp a semiconductor device, in the direction that produces the larger current
forward dive
See front dive
forward gear
a gear in a vehicle that is used when the vehicle is moving forward
forward line
the soldiers at the forward most position in an army force
forward pass
an illegal pass towards the opponent's dead-ball line
forward post
the position held by a soldier on the forward line
forward push
A forward push is a feature of distillation columns (= tall vessels for distillation) in which zones that allow higher contact between substances are near the top of the column.
forward rate
the agreed price for something that is to be bought or sold at a later date
forward roll
a gymnastic movement in which the body is turned heels over head with the back of the neck resting on the ground
forward sale
the sale of something that is to be delivered and paid for at a later date
forward slash
A forward slash is the sloping line '/' that separates letters , words , or numbers .
full forward
an attacking player who plays in the centre of the forward line
half-forward
any of three forwards positioned between the centre line and the forward line
lock forward
either of two players who make up the second line of the scrum and apply weight to the forwards in the front line
loose forward
one of a number of forwards who play at the back or sides of the scrum and who are not bound wholly into it
power forward
the position of one of the two players responsible for blocking shots and catching rebounds
push forward
small forward
a versatile attacking player
throw-forward
an illegal pass towards the opponent's dead-ball line
tight forward
one of a number of forwards who are bound wholly into the scrum
wing-forward
either of the two forwards positioned at the outside of a scrum
center forward
an offensive player who covers the center of the field and who usually starts the kickoff
centre forward
A centre-forward in a team sport such as football or hockey is the player or position in the middle of the front row of attacking players.
fashion-forward
relating to, anticipating , or reflecting the most up-to-date fashion trends
forward buying
the purchase of merchandise in quantities exceeding demand
forward-looking
If you describe a person or organization as forward-looking , you approve of the fact that they think about the future or have modern ideas.
forward market
a market in which contracts are made to buy or sell currencies , commodities , etc, at some future date at a price fixed at the date of the contract
forward motion
Motion is the activity or process of continually changing position or moving from one place to another.
inside forward
(esp formerly) one of two players (the inside right and the inside left ) having mainly midfield and attacking roles
strong forward
→ power forward
forward contract
a contract to buy or sell an asset at a point in the future at a previously agreed price
forward contracts
Forward contracts are agreements to buy something in the future for a price that has been agreed today .
forward delivery
(in commerce ) delivery at a future date
forward exchange
a foreign bill purchased at a stipulated price and payable at a future date
forward momentum
If a process or movement gains momentum , it keeps developing or happening more quickly and keeps becoming less likely to stop .
forward planning
planning or thoughts made in advance
forward quotation
(in commerce ) the price quoted for goods sent on forward delivery
forward integration
the acquisition of all or part of a distribution chain by a firm that sells the goods distributed , so that the firm becomes or become closer to the direct seller of the goods
Great Leap Forward
→ the Great Leap Forward
look forward to
If you look forward to something that is going to happen , you want it to happen because you think you will enjoy it.
store and forward
to store (information) in a computer for later forward transmission through a telecommunication network
Chinese translation of 'forward'
forward
(ˈfɔːwəd)
adj
(in position) 前部的 (qiánbù de)
(in movement) 向前的 (xiàngqián de)
(= not shy) 冒失的 (màoshi de)
n(c)
(Sport) 前锋(鋒) (qiánfēng) (个(個), gè)
vt
[letter, goods]转(轉)递(遞) (zhuǎndì)
(= further)[career, plans]促进(進) (cùjìn)
"please forward""请(請)转(轉)交" ("qǐng zhuǎnjiāo")
adv
=forwards
forward planning预(預)先计(計)划(劃) (yùxiān jìhuà)
All related terms of 'forward'
put forward
( ideas, proposal, name ) 提出 tíchū ⇒ These were the arguments which Jenny put forward. → 这些是詹妮提出的论点。 Zhèxiē shì Zhānní tíchū de lùndiǎn.