up-front

[ uhp-fruhnt ]

adjective

1. invested or paid in advance or as beginning capital:

   an up-front fee of five percent and an additional five percent when the job is done.

2. honest; candid; straightforward:

   He's very up-front about discussing his past.

3. conspicuous or prominent:

   The company has an up-front position in its industry.

4. located in the front or forward section:

   to request up-front seats on a plane.

adverb

1. as an initial investment, beginning capital, or an advance payment:

   They'll need a half-million dollars up-front before opening the business.

2. before other payments, deductions, or returning a profit:

   Estimated operating expenses will be deducted up-front.

Word History and Origins

Origin of up-front¹

First recorded in 1965–70

Example Sentences

Local authorities which house people in temporary accommodation generally pay the up-front costs and claim the cash back from central government.

From BBC

You're up-front about being choosy with new projects.

From Salon

And those are just the up-front costs.

From Slate

“It’s worth making that investment even though it’s a high cost up-front.”

From Los Angeles Times

The prince paid considerable amounts up-front when he took on the lease for Royal Lodge in 2003, which has meant lower costs for him in the longer term, making it less of an incentive to leave now.

From BBC