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out-front

out-front

adjective

candid; frank; honest.
out front

out front

In front of a building or house, as in We really need to put another light out front, or I'll meet you at the museum, out front. The antonym, referring to the back of a building, is out back, as in John's out back fixing his bike. The noun front has been used for the side of a building where the main entrance is located since the mid-1300s; back for the rear of a building dates from the late 1300s.

Synonyms

out-front

American

[out-fruhnt] / ˈaʊtˈfrʌnt /

adjective

Informal.

candid; frank; honest.

The politician was less than out-front with the interviewer.

out front Idioms

In front of a building or house, as in We really need to put another light out front, or I'll meet you at the museum, out front. The antonym, referring to the back of a building, is out back, as in John's out back fixing his bike. The noun front has been used for the side of a building where the main entrance is located since the mid-1300s; back for the rear of a building dates from the late 1300s.

Etymology

Origin of out-front

An Americanism dating back to 1915–20

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.

See Examples For:

out-front out front

“That’s how far out-front it was and how unique,” she said.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 19, 2022

I’ve never been an out-front champion on this issue, but I have always believed that the people of Alabama should have the final say.

From Washington Times ● Feb. 2, 2021

I’m not going to be the out-front person.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 15, 2017

And the other is: Every out-front maneuver that you make is going to be uncomfortable, and that feeling of discomfort is good.

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2016

The position must neither be commanded, out-fronted, nor surrounded; but on the contrary ought, as far as possible, to command and out-front the enemy's position.

From Elements of Military Art and Science Or, Course Of Instruction In Strategy, Fortification, Tactics Of Battles, &C.; Embracing The Duties Of Staff, Infantry, Cavalry, Artillery, And Engineers; Adapted To The Use Of Volunteers And Militia; Third Edition; With Critical Notes On The Mexican And Crimean Wars. by Halleck, Henry Wager

Initially it was a hat and shoe repair store, with candies sold from a cart out front as an extra earning stream.

From BBC ● Jun. 10, 2026

Most gas station operators net only a few cents per gallon on fuel itself – which is why many gas stations are really convenience stores with pumps out front.

From Salon ● May 13, 2026

The sign out front was complete, bearing the development’s name: Citrus Place.

From Slate ● Apr. 20, 2026

Strategists figured it better to get out front of the chatter and address the online innuendo, even if it meant exposing the allegations to a much wider audience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 10, 2026

“The big one with the lions out front and special rooms.”

From "The Way to Rio Luna" by Zoraida Cordova

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023