situated at or toward the front, as compared with something else.
previous; earlier.
cities that existed in a fore time.
Nautical.
of or relating to a foremast.
noting a sail, yard, boom, etc., or any rigging belonging to a fore lower mast or to some upper mast of a foremast.
noting any stay running aft and upward to the head of a fore lower mast or to some specified upper mast of a foremast.
fore topmast stay.
situated at or toward the bow of a vessel; forward.
Nautical. at or toward the bow.
Obsolete. before.
the front part
something located at, in, or towards the front
short for foremast
located at or directed towards both ends of a vessel
a fore-and-aft rig
to or into the front or conspicuous position
alive or active
is your grandfather still to the fore?
at or towards a ship's bow
obsolete before
before in time or rank
foresight
forefather
foreman
at or near the front; before in place
forehead
forecourt
What does fore- mean? Fore- is a prefix meaning “before,” "front," or "superior." It is occasionally used in everyday and technical terms. In some terms, such as fore-check, the prefix is separated from the second element with a hyphen. Fore- comes from Old English for(e), meaning “before” or “front.” The Latin cognate and translation is prae “before,” which is the source of pre-, as in prefix and preposition. Learn more at our entry for each word.
By construal of fore- as an adjective, hence nominalized; fore and aft perhaps as translation of Dutch or Low German; sense “before” fore 1 ( defs. 6, 9 ) perhaps continuation of Middle English, Old English fore in this sense, or as shortening of afore
First recorded in 1875–80; probably shortening of before
Combining form representing Middle English, Old English for ( e )
The front of a ship is called the fore, and the back is the "aft." A cruise ship might be so large that your cabin at the ship's fore is almost a quarter mile from your sister's in the aft. Fore also refers more generally to something at or near the front, like someone who's at the fore of her profession as a pastry chef. As an adjective, fore also describes things close to the front — your puppy's fore legs are the ones in front. When golfers shout, "Fore!" it's a warning to watch out for the ball, or to "look ahead."
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The episode has thrust a long-simmering debate to the fore: open versus closed AI.
From Barron's ● Jul. 9, 2026
But Kemp, only just returning to bowling after more than a year of back injury restrictions, came to the fore again by having the classy Smriti Mandhana caught at deep square leg for 32.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
Pressure has undoubtedly built stress for Bompastor and that has come to the fore on occasions this season.
From BBC ● May 12, 2026
Recently, a renewed interest from the U.S. government and support and developments from the broader tech ecosystem have brought it back to the fore.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 27, 2026
But his work with the NSA in the mid-1950s brought his concerns to the fore, and the ethics of secrecy started to consume him.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Shaw-Asquith flicked wet blond locks off his fore- head.
From The Verge ● Jun. 17, 2018
Deliberately paced, beautifully shot, high-toned, twisty mysteries feature international locations, distressed parents, three-dimensional characters in the fore-, middle- and background, memorable acting everywhere.
From Los Angeles Times ● Dec. 19, 2014
Opposite the helm is a spacious sunpad, but I was surprised that it couldn't be tilted up to provide either a fore- or aft-facing backrest.
From Time Magazine Archive
A garish red abrasion colored his fore- head.
From "The Name of the Wind" by Patrick Rothfuss
I’m starting to get annoyed, and it must show, because Mr. Gore writes me a pass and holds it up between his fore- and middle fingers.
From "Boy21" by Matthew Quick
He fores down two bouncers at Asif, much to Michael Holding's satisfaction.
From The Guardian ● Aug. 9, 2010
An’ if he live it through, like ’nough ’twon’t be very long fores they git un free o’ his ’prisonment.
From No Quarter! by Reid, Mayne
Hope it won’t signify no great deal; but I thought it better you be told o’t fores it reach the young lady at Gloster—so’s yer honour might break it to her a bit easier.”
From No Quarter! by Reid, Mayne
He had backings about him then—these ugly fores fellows, five to our one.
From No Quarter! by Reid, Mayne
Linkin sed he'd git down on his nees, or on all fores, if necessary, but I wouldn't let him, 'cause it would be wantin' in dignity.
From Letters of Major Jack Downing, of the Downingville Militia by Smith, Seba
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
