fast forward

¹ American  

[fast fawr-werd, fahst-] / ˈfæst ˈfɔr wərd, ˈfɑst- /

noun

1. a function of an audio or video recorder or player, as a cassette deck or DVR, that allows the content to be advanced rapidly.

2. the button or other control that activates this function.

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fast-forward ² American  

[fast-fawr-werd, fahst-] / ˈfæstˈfɔr wərd, ˈfɑst- /

verb (used with or without object)

1. to advance an audio or video recording rapidly.

   I always fast-forward through the TV ads that get recorded on my DVR.

2. to skip over a period of time and arrive at a future point in the timeline, especially in narration.

   Fast-forward six months, she’s gotten engaged and is moving to Europe!

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fast-forward British  

noun

1. (sometimes not hyphenated) the control on a tape deck or video recorder used to wind the tape or video forward at speed

2. informal a state of urgency or rapid progress

   my mind went into fast forward

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verb

1. (tr) to wind (a video or tape) forward using the fast-forward control

2. to deal with speedily

   fast-forward the trials of the new drug

3. (intr) to move forward through a tape or video using the fast-forward control

4. (usually foll by to) to direct one's attention towards a particular time or event, ignoring intervening material

   fast-forward to the summer of 2008

Etymology

Origin of fast-forward

First recorded in 1945–50

Example Sentences

He hasn’t watched live television in about a decade, using his TiVo to fast forward through commercials or speed past analysts’ banter during sports games.

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 16, 2025

It was not an optimistic scenario, but fast forward a year and the gamble has patently paid off.

From BBC • Jan. 25, 2025

But fast forward to Saturday night, in the same arena against the same opponent at the same weight, and Taylor did what great fighters do - she rose again.

From BBC • Nov. 26, 2023

The fast forward speed “was good and bad at the same time,” Pearce said.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 31, 2023

Playing Soccer is like never hitting pause on your favorite ninety-minute movie but futsal is like fast forward for forty supercharged minutes.

From "Booked" by Kwame Alexander