forward

adverb

• 1in the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front:he started up the engine and the car moved forward Rory leaned forward over the table
• in or towards the bow or nose of a ship or aircraft.
• in the normal order or sequence:the number was the same backwards as forwards

• 2onward so as to make progress:the signing of the treaty is a big step forward

• 3towards the future:looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion
• to an earlier time:the special issue has been moved forward to November

adjective

• 1directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling:forward flight the pilot’s forward view
• positioned near the enemy lines:troops moved to the forward areas
• situated in or towards the bow or nose of a ship or aircraft: the forward cargo doors [predic.]:the crew’s cabin is forward
• Electronics (of a voltage applied to a semiconductor junction) in the direction which allows significant current to flow.

• 2 [attributive] relating to the future:forward planning

• 3progressing towards a successful conclusion:the decision is a forward step
• further advanced than expected or required:an alarmingly forward yet painfully vulnerable child

• 4(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner: I am not usually a forward sort of person

noun

• 1an attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.

• 2 (forwards) agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date. Compare with future (sense 2 of the noun).

verb

• 1send (a letter or email) on to a further destination:my emails were forwarded to a friend I recently received an email forwarded from a friend (as adjective forwarding)a forwarding address
• dispatch or send (a document or goods):apply by forwarding a CV

• 2help to advance (something); promote:the scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology