forward

[[t]fɔ͟ː(r)wə(r)d[/t]]

♦♦

forwards, forwarding, forwarded

(In addition to the uses shown below, forward is also used in phrasal verbs such as `bring forward' and `look forward to'. In British English, forwards is often used as an adverb instead of forward in senses 1, 4, and 7.)

1) ADV: ADV after v If you move or look forward, you move or look in a direction that is in front of you. In British English, you can also move or look forwards.

He came forward with his hand out. `Mr and Mrs Selby?' he enquired...

She fell forwards on to her face...

He continued to walk, didn't look at the car, kept his face forward.

Ant:

backwards

2) ADV-GRADED: be ADV, ADV after v Forward means in a position near the front of something such as a building or a vehicle.

The best seats are in the aisle and as far forward as possible...

The other car had a 3-inch lower driving seat and had its engine mounted further forward.

ADJ-GRADED: ADJ n

Forward is also an adjective.

Reinforcements were needed to allow more troops to move to forward positions.

3) PHR-PREP If one thing is forward of another, especially on a ship or aircraft, the first thing is in front of the second thing or further ahead.

Forward of the main cabin are the guest cabins...

Sixty-one small parachute symbols were painted on the left side just forward of the wing.

Ant:

behind

4) ADV: usu ADV after v, also ADV adj (approval) If you say that someone looks forward, you approve of them because they think about what will happen in the future and plan for it. In British English, you can also say that someone looks forwards.

Now the leadership wants to look forward, and to outline a strategy for the rest of the century...

People should forget and look forwards...

Manchester United has always been a forward-looking club.

ADJ: ADJ n

Forward is also an adjective.

The university system requires more forward planning.

5) ADV: ADV after v If you put a clock or watch forward, you change the time shown on it so that it shows a later time, for example when the time changes to summer time or daylight saving time.

When we put the clocks forward in March we go into British Summer Time.

6) ADV: from n ADV When you are referring to a particular time, if you say that something was true from that time forward, you mean that it became true at that time, and continued to be true afterwards.

Velazquez's work from that time forward was confined largely to portraits of the royal family.

Syn:

on

7) ADV: ADV after v, n ADV You use forward to indicate that something progresses or improves. In British English, you can also use forwards.

The European Community aimed at moving forward on economic and monetary union...

They just couldn't see any way forward...

Space scientists and astronomers have taken another step forwards.

8) VERB If you forward something, you cause it to progress or improve. [WRITTEN]

[V n] The music is used to forward the plot, not simply to keep the toes tapping.

[V n] ...the scientist who has done the most to forward the cause of public understanding over the year.

Syn:

further

9) ADV: ADV after v If something or someone is put forward, or comes forward, they are suggested or offered as suitable for a particular purpose.

Over the years several similar theories have been put forward...

Next month the Commission is to bring forward its first proposals for action...

He was putting himself forward as a Democrat...

Investigations have ground to a standstill because no witnesses have come forward.

10) VERB If a letter or message is forwarded to someone, it is sent to the place where they are, after having been sent to a different place earlier.

[be V-ed from/to n] When he's out on the road, office calls are forwarded to the cellular phone in his truck...

[be V-ed from/to n] A hospital appointment letter for Jane was forwarded from the clinic. [Also V n, V n from/to n]

Syn:

send on

11) ADJ-GRADED: usu v-link ADJ If you describe someone as forward, you mean that they speak very confidently and honestly but they do not always show enough respect for the person they are talking to.

He's very forward and confident and chats happily to other people.

Derived words:

forwardness N-UNCOUNT

Rather taken aback by such forwardness, I slammed down the phone.

12) N-COUNT In soccer, football, basketball, or hockey, a forward is a player whose usual position is in the opponents' half of the field, and whose usual job is to attack or score goals.

→ See also centre-forward

13) backwards and forwards → see backwards

to look forward to something → see look