Definition of 'forward'
Word forms: plural, 3rd person singular present tense forwards
, present participle forwarding
, past tense, past participle forwarded
In addition to the uses shown below, forward is also used in phrasal verbs such as 'bring forward' and 'look forward to'. In British
English, 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 British
English, 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, you
can 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 [be ADVERB, 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 further
forward.
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 rest
of 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]
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 the
royal 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 will
help 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.
10. 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.
When he's out on the road, office calls are forwarded to the cellular phone in his
truck. [be V-ed + from/to]
We will forward your letters to him. [V n + from/to]
[Also VERB noun]11. graded adjective [usually verb-link ADJECTIVE]
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.
12. countable noun
13. See also centre-forward
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner’s Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Video: pronunciation of
forward
British English pronunciation
American English pronunciation
Word Frequency
forward in British English
adjective
1.
directed or moving ahead
2.
lying or situated in or near the front part of something
4.
well developed or advanced, esp in physical, material, or intellectual growth or development
forward ideas
6.
a.
b.
(in combination)
forward-looking
8. New Zealand
(of an animal) in good condition
verb (transitive)
14.
to send forward or pass on to an ultimate destination
the letter was forwarded from a previous address
Collins English Dictionary. Copyright © HarperCollins Publishers
Derived forms
forwardly (ˈforwardly) adverb
Word origin
Old English foreweardWord Frequency
forward in American English
adjective
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
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
SIMILAR WORDS: adˈvance
Webster’s New World College Dictionary, 4th Edition. Copyright © 2010 by
Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. All rights reserved.
Derived forms
forwardable (ˈforˌwardable)
adjective
forwardness (ˈforwardness)
noun
Word Frequency
forward in American English
(ˈfɔrwərd)
adverb Also: forwards
1.
toward or at a place, point, or time in advance; onward; ahead
to move forward
from this day forward
to look forward
2.
toward the front
Let's move forward so we can hear better
4.
toward the bow or front of a vessel or aircraft
adjective
6.
directed toward a point in advance; moving ahead; onward
a forward motion
7.
being in a condition of advancement; well-advanced
It was quite forward in the season when we finished our planting
8.
ready, prompt, or eager
10.
situated in the front or forepart
the forward part of the ship
11.
of or pertaining to the future; for the future or forward delivery
forward buying
a forward price
12.
lying ahead or to the front
Take the forward path
13.
radical or extreme, as persons or opinions
the forward trend in certain liberal thought
noun
14. Sport
a.
a player stationed in advance of others on a team
c. Basketball
either of two players stationed in the forecourt
15. Finance
something bought, as a security, for future delivery
transitive verb
16.
to send forward; transmit, esp. to a new address
to forward a letter
17.
to advance or help onward; promote
The training will help to forward your career
intransitive verb
SYNONYMS 1. forward, onward both indicate a direction toward the front or a movement in a frontward direction.
forward applies to any movement toward what is or is conceived to be the front or a goal:
to face forward; to move forward in the aisles. onward applies to any movement in continuance of a course: to march onward toward a goal. 8. willing, earnest, zealous. 9. assuming, impudent. See bold. 11. early, preliminary, future, premature. 13. unconventional, progressive. 17. further, foster.ANTONYMS 6. backward.Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC. Modified entries © 2019
by Penguin Random House LLC and HarperCollins Publishers Ltd
Derived forms
forwardable adjective
forwardly
adverb
Examples of 'forward' in a sentence
forward
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forward
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the period of play immediately after a tackle and before the formation of a ruck
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the forwards at the rear of a scrum
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the forwards of a team or both teams collectively, as in a scrum or in rucking
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one of a number of forwards who play at the back or sides of the scrum and who are not bound wholly into it
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a handicap awarded against a player or team for illegal play, such as a free shot at goal by the opposing team, loss of points, etc
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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 /ˈfɔrwərd/
- 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 /ˈfɔrwərd/
- 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
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Source
Definition of forward from the Collins English Dictionary
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