Definition

1. Adverb:
   • Toward the front; in a direction that faces the front: "Frontward" describes movement or orientation directed to the front.

Usage

• "Frontward" is used to indicate direction. It is the opposite of "backward."
• It is a less common variant of the more frequently used adverb "forward." In many contexts, "forward" is preferred.
• The word can describe both physical movement and the orientation of objects.

Examples

• Adverb:
  • She practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine.
  • Please slide the chair frontward to make more space behind it.
  • The soldier took one careful step frontward.

Advanced Usage

• "frontward(s)": The form "frontwards" is also acceptable and has the same meaning. The "-s" is a common adverbial suffix in English (e.g., toward/towards, backward/backwards).
  • The car rolled slowly frontwards down the gentle slope.

Variants and Related Words

• Forward (adv.): Toward the front; in the direction that one is facing or traveling. This is the most common synonym.
• Forrad, Forrard (adv.): Dialectal variations meaning "forward" or "frontward."
• Frontward (adj.): While primarily an adverb, it can occasionally function as an adjective meaning "directed toward the front," though this is rare.
  • a frontward motion

Synonyms

• Forward: Toward the front.
• Onward: In a continuing forward direction; ahead.
• Ahead: In front; in the forward direction.

Antonyms

• Backward: Toward the back.
• Rearward: Toward the rear.

Notes

• "Frontward" is perfectly correct but is used less often in everyday modern English than "forward." It may be found in more formal or technical descriptions of movement or direction.
• The example from the reference () demonstrates its use for contrasting precise, opposite directions.

Adverb

1. at or to or toward the front; (`forrad' and `forrard' are dialectal variations)
   • he faced forward
   • step forward
   • she practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine