I. ˈfȯr-wərd, also ˈfō- or ˈfȯ-, Southern also ˈfär- adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English foreweard, from fore- + -weard -ward
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : near, being at, or belonging to the forepart
b. : situated in advance
2.
a. : strongly inclined : ready
b. : lacking modesty or reserve : brash
3. : notably advanced or developed : precocious
4. : moving, tending, or leading toward a position in front ; also : moving toward an opponent's goal
5.
a. : advocating an advanced policy in the direction of what is considered progress
b. : extreme , radical
6. : of, relating to, or getting ready for the future
forward buying of produce
• for·ward·ly adverb
• for·ward·ness noun
II. adverb
Date: before 12th century
: to or toward what is ahead or in front
from that time forward
moved slowly forward
III. transitive verb
Date: 1596
1. : to help onward : promote
forward ed 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
Synonyms: see advance
IV. noun
Date: 1879
: a player who plays at the front of his team's formation near the goal at which his team is attempting to score