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forward
/ˈfɔːrwərd/
toward the front or in a forward direction
She moved forward to the front of the line.
She advanced to the front position in the line.
general
toward the front or in a forward direction
The team played forward to score a goal.
The team advanced the ball to attempt a goal.
Commonly used to describe movement or direction.
general
progressing or developing in a positive way
The project is moving forward with new funding.
The project is advancing with additional financial support.
Often used metaphorically to describe progress.
Sports
a player positioned near the opponent's goal in sports
The forward scored a hat-trick in the match.
The attacking player scored three goals in the game.
In soccer, basketball, and other sports, a forward is an offensive player.
Collocations
move forwardto advance or progressforward-thinkinginnovative or progressiveforward planningstrategic preparation
Synonyms
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Direction vs. Progress
Use 'forward' for physical movement or metaphorical progress, e.g., 'The train moved forward' or 'The company is moving forward with the project.'
Gold Rule
Adverb vs. Adjective
As an adverb, 'forward' describes direction (e.g., 'She stepped forward'). As an adjective, it describes position (e.g., 'The forward pass').
Word Origin
From Old English 'foreweard,' meaning 'toward the front,' from 'fore' (front) + 'weard' (guard).
Usage Notes
Can function as an adjective, adverb, or noun depending on context. In sports, it refers to a player's position.
Word Breakdown
fore
front
prefixward
direction
suffixEnglish Dictionary