I. for ‧ ward 1 S1 W1 /ˈfɔːwəd $ ˈfɔːrwərd/ BrE AmE ( also forwards /-wədz $ -wərdz/) adverb
1 . towards a place or position that is in front of you OPP backwards :
He leaned forward, his elbows resting on the table.
The crowd surged forwards.
She took another small step forward.
2 . towards greater progress, improvement, or development:
We agreed that the sensible way forward was for a new company to be formed.
After the Labour Party conference, he stated that we could now go forward as a united party.
Britain is now ready to move forward.
3 . towards the future in a way that is hopeful OPP backwards :
I felt that at last I could begin to look forward.
4 . from that/this day/time/moment etc forward beginning on that day or at that time:
They never met again from that day forward.
5 . go forward to/into to successfully complete one stage of a competition so that you are able to compete in the next stage:
South Korea went forward into the next round of the World Cup.
6 . if you put a clock or a watch forward, you change it so that it shows a later time, for example when the time changes to ↑ British Summer Time OPP back :
We put our watches forward by 2 hours.
The clocks go forward this weekend.
7 . in or towards the front part of a ship
⇨ ↑ fast-forward , ⇨ look forward to something at ↑ look 1 , ⇨ backwards and forwards at ↑ backwards (5)
II. forward 2 S2 W3 BrE AmE adjective
[ Language: Old English ; Origin: foreweard , from fore- + -ward ]
1 . [only before noun] closer to a person, place, or position that is in front of you OPP backward :
Army roadblocks prevented any further forward movement.
Always enter or leave a helicopter from a forward direction.
2 . forward planning/thinking plans, ideas etc that are helpful in a way that prepares you for the future:
With a bit of forward planning we make sure your budget goes as far as possible.
3 . no further forward not having made much progress, especially compared to what was expected:
We are no further forward in solving the crime.
4 . [only before noun] at or near the front of a ship, vehicle, building etc OPP rear :
We sat in one of the forward sections of the train.
5 . formal too confident and friendly in dealing with people you do not know very well:
My father thinks she’s far too forward for a young girl.
III. forward 3 BrE AmE verb [transitive]
1 . to send letters, goods etc to someone when they have moved to a different address SYN send on :
Would you make sure that you forward my mail promptly?
2 . to send letters, information etc to someone
forward something to somebody
Flight times will be forwarded to you with your travel documentation.
3 . formal to help something to develop so that it becomes successful SYN further :
a good chance to forward my career
IV. forward 4 BrE AmE noun [countable]
an attacking player on a team in sports such as football and ↑ basketball ⇨ back , defender