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flash-forward

American  
[flash-fawr-werd] / ˈflæʃˈfɔr wərd /

noun

  1. a device in the narrative of a motion picture, novel, etc., by which a future event or scene is inserted into the chronological structure of the work.

  2. an event or scene so inserted.


Etymology

Origin of flash-forward

1945–50; flash + forward, on the model of flashback

Vocabulary lists containing flash-forward

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Starting a TV series with a shocking flash-forward is a tiresome and overused narrative device, but once the plot spools back and the series finds its groove, it is superb.

From BBC • May 7, 2024

From its playfully inventive opening to its flash-forward finale, Thomas Hardiman’s wild — and wildly impressive — first feature, set during a British regional hairdressing competition, is a proudly indelicate, painstakingly structured pleasure.

From New York Times • Aug. 10, 2023

He's the only person she can really talk to, she says in the flash-forward when she's in her 20s and making major scientific breakthroughs.

From Salon • May 20, 2023

There’s a flash-forward early on that indicates that we’ll be seeing more of the story at some point.

From The Verge • Sep. 23, 2021

At the end we flash-forward to Wonder Woman flying off in what has to be taken as the contemporary period, given her laptop computer.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 31, 2020