forehand

American  

[fawr-hand, fohr-] / ˈfɔrˌhænd, ˈfoʊr- /

adjective

1. (in tennis, squash, etc.) of, relating to, or noting a stroke made from the same side of the body as that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.

2. being in front or ahead.

3. foremost or leading.

4. done beforehand; given or made in advance, as a payment.

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noun

• forehands
  plural

1. (in tennis, squash, etc.) a forehand stroke.

2. the part of a horse that is in front of the rider.

3. Cards. the player on the dealer's left, in a game with three players.

4. Archaic. a superior or advantageous position.

adverb

1. (in tennis, squash, etc.) with a forehand stroke.

forehand British  

/ ˈfɔːˌhænd /

adjective

1. sport

   1. (of a stroke) made with the racket held so that the wrist is facing the direction of the stroke

   2. of or relating to the right side of a right-handed player or the left side of a left-handed player

2. foremost or paramount

3. done or given beforehand

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noun

1. sport

   1. a forehand stroke

   2. the side on which such strokes are made

2. the part of a horse in front of the saddle

3. a frontal position

adverb

1. sport with a forehand stroke

verb

1. sport to play (a shot) forehand

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• forehands
  plural

Etymology

Origin of forehand

First recorded in 1535–45; fore- + hand

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

forehand forehands

Alcaraz said he was playing "normal" in a straight-set win over Russia's Roman Safiullin in the first round and reiterated after beating Faria that he is not holding back on his forehand.

From BBC ● Sep. 3, 2026

Jodar fought off two more match points before earning a break point that Fritz saved with another forehand winner.

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

Fritz squandered a pair of match points at 40-15 and gave himself another with a booming forehand.

From Barron's ● Aug. 3, 2026

And when Coach Chessa Mehlman asks a young player to show off his forehand, he sits on the racket.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

One of Braden’s digitized videotapes is of the tennis great Andre Agassi hitting a forehand.

From "Blink" by Malcolm Gladwell

She hit a couple of sizzler forehands that found the lines.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 30, 2026

The battle went down to the wire and it was a few mistimed forehands from Gauff that gave Svitolina the opening in the last game to complete an emotional victory.

From Barron's ● Feb. 20, 2026

Korda seized a 5-2 lead in the final tie-break and served for the match up 5-4, but sent two forehands long and Fritz blasted a service winner on the final point for the triumph.

From Barron's ● Feb. 13, 2026

World number 59 Munar said before the match that his chances of an upset were "low" - but he came within touching distance of victory, thanks to some strong serving and deep, powerful forehands.

From BBC ● Jun. 19, 2025

Charles saw the rush of the leading black, And the forehands lift and the men sway back; He steadied his horse, then with crash and crying The top of the Turk's Grave Fence went flying.

From Right Royal by John Masefield