Origin: Germanic Old English prefix
Forward has 18 different meanings across 5 categories:
Noun · Verb · Adjective · Adverb · Proper Noun
the person who plays the position of forward in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey
"The star forward dominated the game by scoring three goals in just five minutes."
a position on a basketball, soccer, or hockey team
"The coach substituted the injured forward off the ice so quickly that the opposing goalie couldn't react to his final pass."
One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).
"We signed a mutual forward to ensure that both parties would honor their promises regarding the land transfer."
Agreement; covenant.
In plain English: A forward is a person who plays ahead of everyone else on a sports team to score points.
"He put his hopes forward for election."
Usage: In modern English, "forward" is rarely used as a noun to mean an agreement or covenant; this usage is archaic and should be avoided in everyday writing. Instead, reserve the word for its common roles as a verb meaning to send ahead or an adjective describing someone who acts proactively.
To advance, promote.
"The committee voted to move forward with the new initiative despite some early concerns."
In plain English: To move ahead or go in a forward direction.
"Please forward the email to the manager immediately."
Usage: Use forward as a verb when you mean to send something electronically, such as an email or message, to another person. Do not use it to describe physically moving ahead in space; instead, use words like move or proceed for that action.
at or near or directed toward the front
"the forward section of the aircraft"
"a forward plunge down the stairs"
"forward motion"
used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty
"a forward child badly in need of discipline"
moving forward
"After weeks of deliberation, the committee finally decided to move forward with the new project plan."
Situated toward or at the front of something.
"The new wing of the library is situated forward, just past the main entrance near the old oak tree."
In plain English: Forward means facing or moving toward the front instead of the back.
Usage: Use "forward" to describe something located at the front or leading part of an object, such as the forward seat in a car. It specifically indicates position relative to the direction of movement or the front end of a structure.
At, near or towards the front of something.
"Please step forward to the front of the line so you can be seen by the guard."
In plain English: Forward means moving ahead or going in a direction away from where you started.
"He decided to move forward with the project despite the risks."
Usage: Use forward to indicate moving in a direction toward the front or ahead, such as when you tell someone to step forward into the room. It describes the action of progressing rather than simply being located at the front.
A surname.
"The Forward family has lived in that neighborhood for three generations."
The word forward comes from Old English, originally meaning "inclined to the front" or simply "early." It traveled into modern English as a combination of the prefix fore- and the suffix -ward, which together indicate direction toward something.