forward
forward
Pronunciation
forward
/ˈfɔːrwərd/
For-: /fɔːr/ - This syllable consists of the voiceless labiodental fricative /f/, the open-mid back rounded vowel /ɔː/, and the rhotic consonant /r/.
-ward: /wərd/ - This syllable consists of the voiced labial-velar approximant /w/, the schwa vowel /ə/, and the rhotic consonant /r/ followed by the voiced alveolar approximant /d/.
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: forward
Plural: forwards
Verb:
Base form: forward
Third-person singular present: forwards
Present participle: forwarding
Past tense: forwarded
Past participle: forwarded
Adjective: forward (no variations for singular/plural)
Adverb: forward (no variations)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A position in sports, typically at the front of the team, responsible for attacking or scoring.
Synonyms: attacker, striker, vanguard (in a general sense of leading position)
Antonyms: defender, goalkeeper, rearguard
A specific type of pass or movement of the ball or puck in some sports that moves it towards the opposing team's goal.
Synonyms: pass, advance, thrust
Antonyms: backward pass, retreat
Verb
To send something (like mail, a message, or a package) on to another destination or person.
Synonyms: redirect, transmit, send on, dispatch
Antonyms: recall, withhold, intercept
To help to advance or promote something; to make progress.
Synonyms: advance, promote, further, expedite, facilitate
Antonyms: hinder, impede, obstruct, delay, thwart
Adjective
Located at or near the front; moving or tending to move in the direction that faces ahead.
Synonyms: front, onward, progressive, advancing, leading
Antonyms: backward, rear, retreating, regressive
Confident and bold, sometimes to the point of being presumptuous or impertinent.
Synonyms: bold, assertive, presumptuous, impertinent, brash
Antonyms: shy, reserved, diffident, timid, meek
Adverb
In the direction that one is facing or moving; toward the front.
Synonyms: ahead, onward, forth, in front
Antonyms: backward, behind, rearward
Into a prominent or advanced position.
Synonyms: to the fore, into prominence, onward
Antonyms: backward, into obscurity
Examples of Use
Books:
"With his characteristic optimism, he looked forward to the challenges of the new year." (Excerpt from a motivational book, general concept)
"The captain ordered the ship to steam forward through the icy waters, battling the fierce currents." (From a historical fiction novel, The Arctic Explorer's Saga, March 2018)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted to forward the proposed zoning changes to the planning committee for further review." (The Daily Chronicle, April 2024)
"Analysts believe the stock market will continue its forward momentum into the next quarter." (Financial Times, February 2024)
Online Publications:
"Here are five innovative strategies to help your startup move forward in a competitive market." (Forbes.com, May 2024)
"Manchester City's star forward scored a hat-trick in yesterday's thrilling match against Arsenal." (BBC Sport website, January 2024)
"Users are advised to forward any suspicious emails to our security department." (TechCrunch.com, October 2023)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: "I kept telling myself to move forward, no matter how difficult things got." (Dialogue from the film Resilience, a fictional drama)
Television: "In this episode, the detective attempts to forward the investigation by interviewing new witnesses." (From a crime procedural series, Case Files, July 2023)
Music: "We're moving forward, leaving the past behind, chasing the sun with open minds." (Lyrics from the song "New Horizons" by The Travelers, June 2023)
Video Games: "Press 'W' to move forward." (On-screen prompt in various PC games)
Podcasts: "Our guest today will discuss how to forward your career in the digital age." (From a career advice podcast, The Professional Edge, November 2023)
General Public Discourse:
"We need to put our differences aside and work forward for the good of the community." (Statement by a community leader at a town hall meeting, May 2024)
"Could you please forward me the meeting minutes when they're ready?" (Common request in professional email communication)
"She's a very forward person; she always speaks her mind." (Informal conversation describing a personality trait)
10 Quotes Using Forward
"If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself." (Henry Ford)
"We keep moving forward, opening new doors, and doing new things, because we're curious and curiosity keeps leading us down new paths." (Walt Disney)
"If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do you have to keep moving forward." (Martin Luther King, Jr.)
"Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forward." (Søren Kierkegaard)
"I will go anywhere, provided it be forward." (David Livingstone)
"Don't dwell on what went wrong. Instead, focus on what to do next. Spend your energies on moving forward toward finding the answer." (Denis Waitley)
"Even if you fall on your face, you're still moving forward." (Victor Kiam)
"My attitude has always been, if you fall flat on your face, at least you're moving forward." (Richard Branson)
"There are many ways of going forward, but only one way of standing still." (Franklin D. Roosevelt)
"The only thing a person can ever really do is keep moving forward. Take that big leap forward without hesitation, without once looking back." (Alyson Noel)
Etymology
The word "forward" has a really old and interesting history! It comes from Old English, which is the earliest form of the English language, spoken before 1150 AD.
Imagine it as two main building blocks:
"fore-": This part means "before" or "in front of." You can see it in other words like "forehead" (the part of your head that's in front).
"-ward": This part means "turned in the direction of." Think of words like "backward" (turned towards the back) or "homeward" (turned towards home).
So, when you put "fore-" and "-ward" together, "forward" essentially meant "turned towards the front" or "in the direction of what's ahead."
Its very first known use dates back to the Old English period (before 1150 AD). At that time, its primary meaning was simply "toward the front" or "in front." It was used to describe movement or position in relation to what was ahead. For instance, if you were walking "foreweard," you were walking towards the front.
Over time, the meaning expanded to include other ideas like moving towards the future, making progress, or even being bold and direct in your behavior. But at its core, "forward" has always been about moving or being in the leading direction.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Forward
Look forward to: To anticipate something with pleasure.
Bring forward: To move something to an earlier time or date; to introduce or propose something.
Put forward: To propose an idea or plan; to nominate someone.
Come forward: To offer help or information; to present oneself.
Step forward: To offer help; to present oneself for a task.
Go forward: To proceed; to make progress.
Move forward: To progress; to advance.
Lean forward: To show interest or anticipation.
Forward-looking: Having a progressive outlook; planning for the future.
Forward-thinking: Characterized by innovative or progressive ideas.
Looking forward: Anticipating something (often used as an informal closing in correspondence).
Send forward: To transmit something ahead.
From this day forward: Starting from now and continuing into the future.
Set forward: To state or present something.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of forward from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
