upfront
Britishadjective
adverb
Explanation
If you're an open and straightforward person, you're upfront. And if your cousin asks what you think of his weird new haircut, you'll be upfront with him and tell the truth. If you prefer being flattered, you might not appreciate your brother's upfront pronouncement that your new pants are way too small or you've got spinach in your teeth. But most of us like knowing that our friends are being upfront and honest with us. Another way to use this adjective is to mean "in advance" when you're talking about a payment: "She wants the cash upfront, before she hands over the cupcakes."
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.
The companies’ business model has been like catnip to investors because unlike drilling for oil, which requires huge upfront investments, leasing land is capital light.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 10, 2026
Drugmakers racing to develop orexin-mimicking compounds have poured more than $10 billion upfront in deals.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 6, 2026
But it says people should consider potential pitfalls seriously and plan ahead by being upfront about their finances, seeking separate legal advice and drawing up a formal agreement.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
For the 2005 launch of the iPod Nano, Cook used massive upfront payments to secure a steep discount on Samsung Electronics’
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 31, 2026
“It takes a lot of guts to be as upfront as he is. I meant what I said at Khalil’s funeral, Starr. It was very brave of you to talk to the police.”
From "The Hate U Give" by Angie Thomas
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.
