forwardness

American  

[fawr-werd-nis] / ˈfɔr wərd nɪs /

noun

1. overreadiness to push oneself forward; lack of appropriate modesty; presumption; boldness.

2. cheerful readiness; eagerness.

3. the condition of being advanced.

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forwardness British  

/ ˈfɔːwədnɪs /

noun

1. lack of modesty; presumption; boldness

2. willing readiness; eagerness

3. a state or condition of advanced progress or development

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Etymology

Origin of forwardness

First recorded in 1515–25; forward + -ness

Example Sentences

In conversation avoid the extremes of Forwardness and Reserve.

From Life and Literature Over two thousand extracts from ancient and modern writers, and classified in alphabetical order by Richardson, John Purver

The Forwardness of Youth, when it proceeds from Alacrity and not Insolence, has also its Allowances.

From The Spectator, Volume 2. by Addison, Joseph

If this Project, which is in a good Forwardness, and carried on apace, be ever finished, St. Peter’s Church will be possessed of a Treasure the more precious because there will be none like it.

From The Memoirs of Charles-Lewis, Baron de Pollnitz, Volume II Being the Observations He Made in His Late Travels From Prussia thro' Germany, Italy, France, Flanders, Holland, England, &C. in Letters to His Friend. Discovering Not Only the Present State of the Chief Cities and Towns; but the Characters of the Principal Persons at the Several Courts. by P?llnitz, Karl Ludwig von

Forwardness I allow is so; but there is a decent familiarity that is necessary in the course of life.

From The Young Gentleman and Lady's Monitor, and English Teacher's Assistant by Moore, John Hamilton

Forwardness, or a disposition to be conspicuous, is unseemly, especially in a young person.

From A Practical Directory for Young Christian Females Being a Series of Letters from a Brother to a Younger Sister by Newcomb, Harvey