Definition

1. Noun:

   • The side or part of an object that faces forward or is most often seen or used: The front is the foremost part or surface of something.
   • The area or position directly ahead: The front is the space immediately before someone or something.
   • A particular area of activity or interest: A front can be a specific sphere of effort or a field of operation.
   • A person or organization serving as a public cover for secret or illegal activities: A front is a deceptive outward appearance or a person/group used to conceal true intentions.
   • (Meteorology) The boundary between two air masses of different density: A front is the line where differing weather systems meet.
   • A group of people with shared aims: A front can be an organized political or military group.

2. Adjective:

   • Of or at the front: Something that is front is located at or relating to the forward part or position.

3. Verb:

   • To have the front facing toward something; to look out on: To front means to be positioned with the main side oriented in a specific direction.
   • (Archaic) To confront or meet face-to-face: To front can mean to stand opposite to or to face boldly.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:

  • Please write your name on the front of the book.
  • There is a garden in front of the house.
  • They made progress on the economic front.
  • The café was a front for a spy operation.
  • A cold front is moving in from the west.
  • He fought with the National Liberation Front.

• Adjective:

  • Use the front door, please.
  • She sat in the front row.

• Verb:

  • The building fronts the main square.
  • (Archaic/Literary) He fronted his accusers with courage.

Advanced Usage

• "To put up a brave/bold front": To pretend to be confident or unafraid when one is not.

  • She was nervous, but she put up a brave front for her children.

• "In front of":

  • Physically before something/someone: Stand in front of the camera.
  • In the presence of someone: Don't argue in front of the guests.

• "On the ... front": Used to specify a particular area of activity or concern.

  • Things are quiet on the work front this week.

Variants and Related Words

• Frontage (n): The extent of land or building that faces a street or open area.

  • The property has a river frontage.

• Frontal (adj): Relating to the front; directed at or against the front.

  • The car sustained frontal damage in the crash.

• Frontmost (adj): Nearest to the front.

  • The frontmost window is open.

Synonyms

• Forepart (n): The part situated at the front.
• Façade (n): The front of a building; (figuratively) a deceptive outward appearance.
• Fore (adj/n): Situated at or toward the front.
• Face (v): To have the front toward or meet confrontationally.

Related Phrasal Verbs / Constructions

• Front for (someone/something): To act as a cover or public representative for a secretive person or activity.

  • He was fronting for a criminal organization.

• Front up (Informal, chiefly British/Australian/NZ): To appear or present oneself, especially to confront something.

  • You need to front up and apologize.

Related Idioms

• "Out front": In a leading position; ahead of competitors.

  • Our team is out front in the race for the championship.

• "Back to front": Reversed; with the back where the front should be.

  • You've got your sweater on back to front.

Adjective

1. relating to or located in the front
   • the front lines
   • the front porch

Noun

1. a group of people with a common ideology who try together to achieve certain general goals
   • he was a charter member of the movement
   • politicians have to respect a mass movement
   • he led the national liberation front
2. the part of something that is nearest to the normal viewer
   • he walked to the front of the stage
3. the immediate proximity of someone or something
   • she blushed in his presence
   • he sensed the presence of danger
   • he was well behaved in front of company
4. (meteorology) the atmospheric phenomenon created at the boundary between two different air masses
5. a sphere of activity involving effort
   • the Japanese were active last week on the diplomatic front
   • they advertise on many different fronts
6. a person used as a cover for some questionable activity
7. the side that is seen or that goes first
8. the outward appearance of a person
   • he put up a bold front
9. the line along which opposing armies face each other
10. the side that is forward or prominent

Verb

1. confront bodily
   • breast the storm
2. be oriented in a certain direction, often with respect to another reference point; be opposite to
   • The house looks north
   • My backyard look onto the pond
   • The building faces the park