forward
1 of 4adjective
for·ward ˈfȯr-wərd 
also ˈfō-,
or ˈfȯ-,
Southern also ˈfär-
1
a
: near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
the forward section of the main deck
b
: situated in advance
Baggage is carried in the forward cars of the train.
2
a
: strongly inclined : ready
always forward to criticize his neighbors
b
: lacking modesty or reserve : brash
Poorly disciplined children are often distressingly forward.
3
: notably advanced or developed : precocious
The child is very forward at walking.
4
: moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front
checked the forward movement of the dog
also : moving toward an opponent's goal
5
a
: advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress
a firm forward policy
b
: extreme, radical
on the forward fringe of conservatism
6
: of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
forward buying of produce
forwardly adverb
forwardness noun
forward
2 of 4adverb
: to or toward what is ahead or in front
from that time forward
moved slowly forward
forward
3 of 4verb
forwarded; forwarding; forwards
transitive verb
1
: to help onward : promote
forwarded his friend's career
2
a
: to send forward : transmit
will forward the goods on receipt of your check
b
: to send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit
forward mail
forward
4 of 4noun
: a player who plays at the front the team's formation near the opponent's goal
a forward in hockey
Synonyms
Adjective
- bold
- familiar
- free
- immodest
- overfamiliar
- presuming
- presumptuous
Adverb
- ahead
- along
- forth
- forwards
- on
- onward
- onwards
Verb
- advance
- cultivate
- encourage
- foster
- further
- incubate
- nourish
- nurse
- nurture
- promote
See all Synonyms & Antonyms 
Example Sentences
Adjective the forward deck of a boat the forward movement of history a very forward young woman Adverb Her long hair fell forward as she bent to tie her shoes. He pushed the throttle forward. She took a small step forward. The narrative moves backward and forward in time. The technology has taken a big step forward. Verb Your letter will be forwarded to the appropriate department. Please forward my mail to my new address. See More
Recent Examples on the Web
Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 The lower deck houses accommodation for 23 crew and nine staff cabins with a continuous corridor that links the amidships engine room to the forward and aft areas, including a security office. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2023 Bolstered by a career-high 20 points from forward Julius Marble and 22 from guard Taylor Wade IV, the Aggies overcame the Tigers’ onslaught to improve its SEC record. —Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023 The Coyotes brought in forward Jean-Sebastien Dea from the Tucson Roadrunners (American Hockey League) at left wing on the fourth line with McBain and Zack Kassian. —Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2023 The agent who was marshalling the plane could then be seen backing away from the airplane’s open forward cargo door and Edwards reappeared walking along the leading edge of the left wing and directly in front of the left engine. —Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 23 Jan. 2023 An extension to the Art Gallery of New South Wales brings 21st-century design to a city that has often had a love-hate relationship with future-forward art. —Damien Cave, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2023 In the United States, bonds were historically issued as a sort of pay-it-forward investment at times when the country was short on resources. —Evan Romano, Men's Health, 9 Jan. 2023 The program announced a little over an hour before tip-off that forward Amari DeBerry would not be available. —Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 28 Dec. 2022 Andrew Weissmann, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023 Bournemouth, currently sitting in eighteenth with a 66 percent likelihood of being relegated, per FiveThirtyEight, were able to outbid A.C. Milan—one of Italy’s biggest and Europe’s most prestigious clubs—for A.S. Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo. —Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 4 Feb. 2023 The fourth-year forward made a season-high 10 field goals and set a season best for points. —John Coon, ajc, 4 Feb. 2023 Former Lakers forward Brandon Ingram had 35 points. —Staff WriterFollow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2023 New Hampshire Democrats have joined with top state Republicans in pledging to go forward with the nation’s first presidential primary next year regardless of the DNC calendar. —Will Weissert, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 Illinois is also getting a boost as sophomore forward Luke Goode will be available for the first time this year, per The Champaign Room. —Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023 Munk and others hope that a plan to restore more acres in the bay to wetlands and marsh will go forward, increasing the size of the parcel to more than 200 acres. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023 The men went forward with the plan, and Mr. McGonigal tried to arrange the diplomatic meeting, the indictment says. —Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 In view of the above, Commanding Officers will not forward requests for brothers to serve in the same ship or station. —Jeremy Hsu, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2018 In others, departments are required by law to send data to state officials who neglect to forward it to the FBI. —Claire Healy, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2022 In others, departments are required by law to send data to state officials who neglect to forward it to the FBI. —Andrew Ba Tran, Marisa Iati, Claire Healy, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Dec. 2022 Friday’s confirmation hearing is expected to forward Ferry’s nomination to the full Senate for an up or down vote, which could take place during September’s interim meetings. —Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Now, a multi-agency task force will conduct a criminal investigation into the incident to determine whether any policies were violated, and will forward the results to the District Attorney's office, the APD said. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE.com, 11 July 2022 The first step was to bring his case to a regional outpost of the Office of Mental Health, where a local committee would decide whether to forward it to a second committee, which can authorize kids to be placed in residential treatment facilities. —ProPublica, 9 June 2022 Teachers will net the full $1,000, and the state will forward an extra $200 to school districts to cover benefits. —al, 30 Apr. 2022 Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2023 The junior forward was also named to the Wooden Award late season top-20 watch list this week. —Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2023 The forward is close to unguardable with a single defender in the post and is a capable passer when additional defenders come at him. —Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2023 The Dons posted a 9-0-1 record, and the senior forward was a major factor. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023 The 6-foot-3 forward was on the cover of Slam Magazine last year with her daughter Amaya, showcasing the two-time sixth player of the year’s ability to balance basketball and motherhood. —Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2023 In the Bucks' press release, the team also said Portis suffered a right ankle sprain in the game and the forward would be re-evaluated in two weeks. —Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2023 The 6-foot-3 forward was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft. —CBS News, 23 Jan. 2023 The forward has three goals and six points in three games against the Kings this season. —Dallas News, 20 Jan. 2023 See More
Adjective
This 100% Merlot includes forward and elegant aromas of chocolate, mint crisp, red plums, red cherries, some sage and black pepper. —Tom Mullen, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2023 The lower deck houses accommodation for 23 crew and nine staff cabins with a continuous corridor that links the amidships engine room to the forward and aft areas, including a security office. —Julia Zaltzman, Robb Report, 10 Feb. 2023 Bolstered by a career-high 20 points from forward Julius Marble and 22 from guard Taylor Wade IV, the Aggies overcame the Tigers’ onslaught to improve its SEC record. —Dallas News, 7 Feb. 2023 The Coyotes brought in forward Jean-Sebastien Dea from the Tucson Roadrunners (American Hockey League) at left wing on the fourth line with McBain and Zack Kassian. —Jenna Ortiz, The Arizona Republic, 6 Feb. 2023 The agent who was marshalling the plane could then be seen backing away from the airplane’s open forward cargo door and Edwards reappeared walking along the leading edge of the left wing and directly in front of the left engine. —Howard Koplowitz | Hkoplowitz@al.com, al, 23 Jan. 2023 An extension to the Art Gallery of New South Wales brings 21st-century design to a city that has often had a love-hate relationship with future-forward art. —Damien Cave, New York Times, 10 Jan. 2023 In the United States, bonds were historically issued as a sort of pay-it-forward investment at times when the country was short on resources. —Evan Romano, Men's Health, 9 Jan. 2023 The program announced a little over an hour before tip-off that forward Amari DeBerry would not be available. —Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 28 Dec. 2022 Adverb
As the office pushes forward on work that could lead to criminal charges against Trump, Bragg has publicly raised concerns that Pomerantz’s book could jeopardize any subsequent prosecution. —Andrew Weissmann, Washington Post, 4 Feb. 2023 Bournemouth, currently sitting in eighteenth with a 66 percent likelihood of being relegated, per FiveThirtyEight, were able to outbid A.C. Milan—one of Italy’s biggest and Europe’s most prestigious clubs—for A.S. Roma forward Nicolo Zaniolo. —Alex Shephard, The New Republic, 4 Feb. 2023 The fourth-year forward made a season-high 10 field goals and set a season best for points. —John Coon, ajc, 4 Feb. 2023 Former Lakers forward Brandon Ingram had 35 points. —Staff WriterFollow, Los Angeles Times, 4 Feb. 2023 New Hampshire Democrats have joined with top state Republicans in pledging to go forward with the nation’s first presidential primary next year regardless of the DNC calendar. —Will Weissert, BostonGlobe.com, 4 Feb. 2023 Illinois is also getting a boost as sophomore forward Luke Goode will be available for the first time this year, per The Champaign Room. —Tanner Mcgrath, Chicago Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023 Munk and others hope that a plan to restore more acres in the bay to wetlands and marsh will go forward, increasing the size of the parcel to more than 200 acres. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Feb. 2023 The men went forward with the plan, and Mr. McGonigal tried to arrange the diplomatic meeting, the indictment says. —Kenneth P. Vogel, New York Times, 4 Feb. 2023 Verb
The Grizzlies sent guard De’Anthony Melton to the 76ers for the draft rights to forward David Roddy and wing Danny Green. —BostonGlobe.com, 24 June 2022 In view of the above, Commanding Officers will not forward requests for brothers to serve in the same ship or station. —Jeremy Hsu, Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2018 In others, departments are required by law to send data to state officials who neglect to forward it to the FBI. —Claire Healy, Washington Post, 6 Dec. 2022 In others, departments are required by law to send data to state officials who neglect to forward it to the FBI. —Andrew Ba Tran, Marisa Iati, Claire Healy, Anchorage Daily News, 6 Dec. 2022 Friday’s confirmation hearing is expected to forward Ferry’s nomination to the full Senate for an up or down vote, which could take place during September’s interim meetings. —Bryan Schott, The Salt Lake Tribune, 25 Aug. 2022 Now, a multi-agency task force will conduct a criminal investigation into the incident to determine whether any policies were violated, and will forward the results to the District Attorney's office, the APD said. —Anna Lazarus Caplan, PEOPLE.com, 11 July 2022 The first step was to bring his case to a regional outpost of the Office of Mental Health, where a local committee would decide whether to forward it to a second committee, which can authorize kids to be placed in residential treatment facilities. —ProPublica, 9 June 2022 Teachers will net the full $1,000, and the state will forward an extra $200 to school districts to cover benefits. —al, 30 Apr. 2022 Noun
Indeed, the 6-foot senior forward is already Grayslake North’s career leader in that category and accounts for three of the top eight single-season marks in program history. —Steve Reaven, Chicago Tribune, 6 Feb. 2023 The junior forward was also named to the Wooden Award late season top-20 watch list this week. —Lila Bromberg, Hartford Courant, 3 Feb. 2023 The forward is close to unguardable with a single defender in the post and is a capable passer when additional defenders come at him. —Wilson Moore, The Indianapolis Star, 1 Feb. 2023 The Dons posted a 9-0-1 record, and the senior forward was a major factor. —Steve Brand, San Diego Union-Tribune, 1 Feb. 2023 The 6-foot-3 forward was on the cover of Slam Magazine last year with her daughter Amaya, showcasing the two-time sixth player of the year’s ability to balance basketball and motherhood. —Los Angeles Times, 1 Feb. 2023 In the Bucks' press release, the team also said Portis suffered a right ankle sprain in the game and the forward would be re-evaluated in two weeks. —Jim Owczarski, Journal Sentinel, 25 Jan. 2023 The 6-foot-3 forward was the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft. —CBS News, 23 Jan. 2023 The forward has three goals and six points in three games against the Kings this season. —Dallas News, 20 Jan. 2023 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective, Adverb, Verb, and Noun
Middle English, from Old English foreweard, from fore- + -weard -ward
First Known Use
Adjective
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Verb
1596, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Noun
1879, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing forward
Kids Definition
forward
1 of 4 adjective for·ward ˈfȯr-wərd
1
: near, being at, or belonging to the front part
2
: lacking proper modesty or reserve
3
: moving, tending, or leading to a position in front
forwardly adverb
forwardness noun
forward
2 of 4 adverb : to or toward what is in front
forward
3 of 4 verb1
: to help onward
forward a friend's career
2
: to send on or forward
forward a letter
forward
4 of 4 noun : a player who plays at the front of the team near the opponent's goal
Legal Definition
forward
noun for·ward
: forward contract at contract
forward 1 of 3
adverb
1
as in forwards
toward or at a point lying in advance in space or time if you keep walking forward, you'll hit that wall Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
- forwards
- onward
- along
- forth
- onwards
- ahead
- on
- fore
- frontward
- before
- frontwards
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- back
- backward
- backwards
- behind
- rearward
- rearwards
2
as in onward
toward a point ahead in space or time from this day forward, our two nations will live in peace and harmony Synonyms & Similar Words
- onward
- onwards
- forth
- ahead
- on
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- backward
- backwards
forward
2 of 3adjective
1
as in familiar
showing a lack of proper social reserve or modesty a stranger so forward as to ask what medication he was taking and what it was for Synonyms & Similar Words
- familiar
- proud
- arrogant
- presuming
- confident
- important
- smug
- bold
- presumptuous
- selfish
- overfamiliar
- immodest
- free
- sure
- vain
- complacent
- superior
- fresh
- cavalier
- bumptious
- impudent
- disdainful
- sassy
- pert
- saucy
- brazen
- uppity
- cheeky
- overbold
- conceited
- brassbound
- impertinent
- brassy
- pompous
- domineering
- snobbish
- supercilious
- audacious
- haughty
- cocky
- insolent
- egotistic
- brash
- vainglorious
- pretentious
- prideful
- egoistic
- high-hat
- egomaniacal
- self-complacent
- lordly
- highfalutin
- self-satisfied
- boastful
- high-and-mighty
- egotistical
- bragging
- self-confident
- overweening
- self-assertive
- self-important
- self-assured
- braggart
- imperious
- egoistical
- self-asserting
- hoity-toity
- stuck-up
- hifalutin
- self-conceited
- bold-faced
- self-engrossed
- high-handed
- self-concerned
- self-interested
- self-absorbed
- self-infatuated
- self-centered
- self-obsessed
- self-involved
- self-seeking
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- modest
- humble
- timid
- unassuming
- lowly
- meek
- shy
- retiring
- bashful
- unpretentious
- demure
- diffident
- unassertive
- timorous
- mousy
- down-to-earth
- mousey
- self-doubting
2
as in front
being at or in the forward part or surface of something the ship's forward deck Synonyms & Similar Words
- front
- fore
- frontward
- frontal
- frontwards
- anterior
- ventral
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- rear
- aft
- hinder
- posterior
- after
- hind
- rearward
- dorsal
- hindmost
3
as in higher
being far along in development the local citizenry's attitude toward racial equality was very forward for its time Synonyms & Similar Words
- higher
- advanced
- improved
- evolved
- progressive
- high
- late
- enhanced
- developed
- modern
- educated
- new
- now
- refined
- current
- ripe
- contemporary
- newest
- enlightened
- mature
- grown
- recent
- latest
- matured
- precocious
- civilized
- perfected
- novel
- aged
- full-scale
- ripened
- full-fledged
- full-blown
- up-to-date
- cutting-edge
- leading-edge
- newfangled
- ultramodern
- mod
- present-day
- supermodern
- new-fashioned
- space-age
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- backward
- lower
- low
- retarded
- primitive
- rudimentary
- green
- undeveloped
- rude
- nonprogressive
- immature
- underdeveloped
- undersized
- early
- undersize
- unripe
- underweight
- past
- savage
- unripened
- uneducated
- uncivilized
- old
- embryonic
- primeval
- primordial
- germinal
- obsolete
- antiquated
- antique
- dated
- hoary
- antediluvian
- outworn
- musty
- fusty
- oldfangled
- old-fashioned
- old-time
- passé
- out-of-date
- Neanderthal
- Neandertal
4
as in cautious
having or showing awareness of and preparation for the future she was forward enough to start investing in her retirement fund at the age of 18 Synonyms & Similar Words
- cautious
- careful
- proactive
- foreseeing
- prescient
- farseeing
- farsighted
- forethoughtful
- forehanded
- foresighted
- visionary
- forward-looking
- provident
- wise
- prudent
- heedful
- insightful
- discerning
- sage
- sagacious
- perceptive
- percipient
- sapient
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- shortsighted
- myopic
- careless
- improvident
- half-cocked
- heedless
- incautious
- half-baked
forward
3 of 3verb
as in to encourage
to help the growth or development of their foundation will help forward better relations between young people from those warring nations Synonyms & Similar Words
- encourage
- promote
- cultivate
- further
- foster
- nurture
- advance
- back
- assist
- incubate
- support
- advocate
- nourish
- fund
- endorse
- nurse
- aid
- champion
- finance
- uphold
- stake
- underwrite
- subsidize
- indorse
- advertise
- patronize
- abet
- boost
- endow
- plug
- publicize
- tout
- agitate (for)
- work (for)
- campaign (for)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- prevent
- hinder
- discourage
- oppose
- enjoin
- inhibit
- frustrate
- prohibit
- counter
- forbid
- bar
- fight
- ban
- combat
- proscribe
- halt
- outlaw
- check
- interdict
- contend (with)
- stifle
- retard
- suppress
- battle
- impede
- squelch
- obstruct
- interfere (with)
- repress
- squash
- subdue
- arrest
- encumber
- snuff (out)
- shackle
- hobble
- fetter
- manacle
Synonym Chooser
Some common synonyms of forward are advance, further, and promote. While all these words mean "to help (someone or something) to move ahead," forward implies an impetus forcing something ahead.
a wage increase would forward productivity
The words advance and forward are synonyms, but do differ in nuance. Specifically, advance stresses effective assisting in hastening a process or bringing about a desired end.
advance the cause of peace
While the synonyms further and forward are close in meaning, further suggests a removing of obstacles in the way of a desired advance.
used the marriage to further his career
While in some cases nearly identical to forward, promote suggests an encouraging or fostering and may denote an increase in status or rank.
a campaign to promote better health