/ ˈfɔːwəd; NAmE ˈfɔːrwərd/ adverb , adjective , verb , noun
■ adverb
1.
(also for·wards especially in BrE ) towards a place or position that is in front :
She leaned forward and kissed him on the cheek.
He took two steps forward.
They ran forward to welcome her.
OPP back , backward(s)
2.
towards a good result :
We consider this agreement to be an important step forward .
Cutting our costs is the only way forward .
We are not getting any further forward with the discussion.
The project will go forward (= continue) as planned.
OPP backward(s)
3.
towards the future; ahead in time :
Looking forward , we hope to expand our operations in several of our overseas branches.
The next scene takes the story forward five years.
( old use )
from this day forward
4.
earlier; sooner :
It was decided to bring the meeting forward two weeks.
5.
( technical ) in or towards the front part of a ship or plane :
The main cabin is situated forward of (= in front of) the mast.
—see also look forward , put forward
•
IDIOMS
see backward(s) , clock noun , foot noun
■ adjective
1.
[ only before noun ] directed or moving towards the front :
The door opened, blocking his forward movement .
a forward pass (= in a sports game)
2.
[ only before noun ] ( technical ) located in front, especially on a ship, plane or other vehicle :
the forward cabins
A bolt may have fallen off the plane's forward door.
3.
relating to the future :
the forward movement of history
A little forward planning at the outset can save you a lot of expense.
The plans are still no further forward than they were last month.
4.
behaving towards sb in a manner which is too confident or too informal :
I hope you don't think I'm being too forward.
—compare backward
■ verb
1.
forward sth (to sb) | forward (sb) sth ( formal ) to send or pass goods or information to sb :
[ vn , vnn ]
We will be forwarding our new catalogue to you next week.
We will be forwarding you our new catalogue next week.
[ vn ]
to forward a request / complaint / proposal
2.
[ vn ] forward sth (to sb) to send a letter, etc. received at the address a person used to live at to their new address
SYN send on :
Could you forward any mail to us in New York?
I put 'please forward' on the envelope.
3.
[ vn ] ( formal ) to help to improve or develop sth
SYN further :
He saw the assignment as a way to forward his career.
—see also fast-forward
■ noun
an attacking player whose position is near the front of a team in some sports
—compare back
••
WORD ORIGIN
Old English forweard (in the sense towards the future , as in from this day forward ), variant of forthweard (see forth , -ward ).