forepaw

[ fawr-paw, fohr- ]

/ ˈfɔrˌpɔ, ˈfoʊr- /

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noun

the paw of a foreleg.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of forepaw

First recorded in 1815–25; fore- + paw¹

Words nearby forepaw

foreordain, foreordinate, foreordination, forepart, forepassed, forepaw, forepeak, foreperson, fore plane, foreplay, forepleasure

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use forepaw in a sentence

Mars sank claw-deep into the ground, and Forrester slammed the War God on the side of his head with one mighty forepaw.
Pagan Passions|Gordon Randall Garrett
He was a pretty scared animal when I crept up behind him and placed a heavy forepaw on his shoulder.
The Wind in the Willows|Kenneth Grahame
Once he stopped to scratch; he rubbed his back against the stump, and clawed at the itchy spot with left forepaw.
Watched by Wild Animals|Enos A. Mills
Tense and rigid, one forepaw held up stealthily, her stub tail erect and the hair along her back bristled.
The Blind Spot|Austin Hall

Oddly as though he wanted to shake hands, the pup raised a forepaw to Harky's left palm.
The Duck-footed Hound|James Arthur Kjelgaard

British Dictionary definitions for forepaw

forepaw

/ (ˈfɔːˌpɔː) /

noun

either of the front feet of most land mammals that do not have hoofs

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012