front
front
Pronunciation
front: /frʌnt/
/fr/ - consonant cluster (onset)
/ʌ/ - vowel (nucleus)
/nt/ - consonant cluster (coda)
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: front
Plural: fronts
Verb:
Base form: front
Third-person singular present: fronts
Present participle: fronting
Past tense: fronted
Past participle: fronted
Adjective: front
Adverb: front (less common, often used as part of a phrasal adverb like "up front")
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The forward-most part or surface of something, especially the part that faces outward or is most prominent.
Synonyms: fore, face, facade, exterior, leading edge
Antonyms: back, rear, behind, interior
Example: The car's front was heavily damaged in the collision.
A specific area or line of engagement in a conflict, especially a military one.
Synonyms: battlefront, line, battlefield, war zone
Antonyms: rear, home front (in a military context, signifying a non-combat zone)
Example: The troops were deployed to the western front.
A person or organization used to conceal illegal or covert activities.
Synonyms: cover, facade, guise, smokescreen, dummy (company/organization)
Antonyms: genuine entity, legitimate operation
Example: The small shop was just a front for their drug dealing operation.
In meteorology, a boundary between two different air masses.
Synonyms: weather front, boundary, discontinuity
Antonyms: homogeneous air mass
Example: A cold front is expected to bring rain later this afternoon.
Verb
To face or be positioned with the front towards a particular direction or object.
Synonyms: face, oppose, confront, look out onto
Antonyms: back, turn away from
Example: The house fronts the ocean.
To be the public face or leader of an organization, group, or project, often acting as a spokesperson.
Synonyms: lead, head, represent, present, spearhead
Antonyms: follow, support (from behind the scenes)
Example: She fronts a popular rock band.
To act as a deceptive cover for something, especially an illegal activity.
Synonyms: mask, hide, conceal, disguise, be a cover for
Antonyms: reveal, expose, disclose
Example: He fronted for the crime syndicate.
Adjective
Located at the forward-most part; relating to the front.
Synonyms: fore, leading, anterior, forward
Antonyms: back, rear, posterior, hind
Example: Please use the front door.
Adverb
In or at the front position. (Often used as part of a phrase like "up front")
Synonyms: ahead, forward, leading, in advance
Antonyms: behind, back, rearward
Example: He paid for the services up front.
Examples of Use
Books
Noun (Part of a building/structure): "She paused, her gaze drawn to the imposing stone front of the old library, its weathered facade speaking of centuries of forgotten stories." (Imaginary novel excerpt)
Noun (Military/Conflict): "The Western Front of World War I became synonymous with trench warfare and unimaginable casualties." (From a historical non-fiction work, e.g., "The Guns of August" by Barbara W. Tuchman)
Verb (To face): "The small cottage fronted directly onto the sandy beach, offering an uninterrupted view of the crashing waves." (From a descriptive passage in a novel)
Noun (Appearance/Façade): "He put on a brave front for his children, even as his own heart was heavy with worry." (From a character's internal monologue in a novel)
Newspapers
Noun (Weather): "A cold front is expected to sweep across the region tomorrow, bringing with it lower temperatures and a chance of thunderstorms." ("Daily Nation," Kenya, July 1, 2025)
Verb (To lead/represent): "The pop star will front a new charity initiative aimed at providing clean water to rural communities." ("The Standard," Kenya, June 28, 2025)
Noun (Political/Social Movement): "The activists formed a united front against the proposed development, arguing it would harm the local ecosystem." ("The Guardian," UK, May 15, 2025)
Online Publications
Adjective (Position): "Users can now customize the front page of their news feed to prioritize topics of interest." (From a tech review on "TechCrunch," published June 20, 2025)
Noun (Cover/Deception): "Investigators uncovered that the seemingly legitimate business was merely a front for a vast money-laundering operation." (From an investigative report on "ProPublica," published April 10, 2025)
Verb (To pay in advance): "Many online courses require students to front the full tuition fee before gaining access to the materials." (From an article on "Forbes Advisor," published March 5, 2025)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms
Film (Noun - Position): "Get to the front of the line if you want the best view!" (A line of dialogue in a movie, e.g., a theme park scene)
Music (Verb - To lead): "Dave Grohl, formerly the drummer for Nirvana, now fronts the Foo Fighters." (Commonly heard in music documentaries or interviews about bands)
Television (Noun - Military): "The documentary explored the daily lives of soldiers on the Eastern Front during World War II." (From a historical documentary on "Netflix")
Video Games (Adjective - Position): "Your objective is to push through the enemy's front lines and secure the objective." (Instruction or dialogue in a military-themed video game like "Call of Duty")
General Public Discourse
Noun (Position): "Could you please move to the front of the bus? There's more space there." (Heard in everyday conversation on public transport)
Noun (Weather): "The weather forecast says a warm front is moving in, so expect higher temperatures this weekend." (Casual conversation about the weather)
Verb (To face/deal with): "You need to front up to your responsibilities and stop avoiding them." (Advice given in a personal conversation)
Noun (Appearance): "She always puts on a brave front, even when things are tough." (Common idiom used in casual conversation to describe someone's resilience)
10 Famous Quotes Using Front
"The front door is a portal to new adventures." (Oprah Winfrey)
"Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgment that something else is more important than fear. The brave may not live forever, but the cautious do not live at all. From now on, you will be traveling the road between the front lines and home." (The Princess Diaries, Meg Cabot)
"I believe that if you want to get good at something, you need to go out and fail at it. You need to fall on your front and get back up again." (Richard Branson)
"We make a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give. And sometimes giving means putting yourself on the front line." (Winston Churchill, adapted)
"Art is a weapon. It is a way of keeping the front open." (James Baldwin)
"There is no back, there is no front, there is no up, there is no down. Everything is everywhere." (Don DeLillo, White Noise)
"I am not afraid of an army of lions led by a sheep; I am afraid of an army of sheep led by a lion. You must lead from the front." (Alexander the Great, adapted)
"When you come to a front door, you don't know who's going to answer. It's a mystery." (Dolly Parton)
"The best way to predict the future is to create it. And that often means being at the front of innovation." (Peter Drucker, adapted)
"Put your best foot forward. Always front your intentions clearly." (Lao Tzu, adapted)
Etymology
The word "front" comes from the Latin word "frons," which meant "forehead" or "brow." Imagine your forehead – it's the very first part of your head that you present to the world, the part that faces forward.
From this idea of the "forehead" or "leading part," the meaning of "front" in English began to develop.
The first known use of "front" in English dates back to the 13th century. At that time, its primary meaning was simply the "foremost part" or the "face" of something. Think of it as the part that's "in front" or that "looks out."
Over time, as language evolves, "front" took on many related meanings, all stemming from that original idea of "the part facing forward" or "the leading edge." This includes the front of a building, the front of an army, or even putting on a "brave front" (presenting a certain face to the world).
Phrases + Idioms Containing Front
Here's a list of phrases and idioms using "front":
In front of: Directly ahead of; in the presence of.
Up front: In advance (payment); honest and direct.
On the front burner: A top priority; something receiving immediate attention.
Front and center: In a prominent or visible position; to be given primary attention.
To front for someone/something: To act as a legitimate cover or representative for a hidden, often illicit, activity or person.
To put on a brave front: To act strong or courageous despite feeling fear or worry.
To come to the front: To become noticeable or important.
To front up: To confront a difficult situation or person directly.
Front-runner: The leading candidate or competitor in a race or contest.
Battle front: The area where opposing armies are fighting.
The home front: The civilian population and activities of a country engaged in war.
Front man/woman: The lead singer of a band; a person who acts as a public face for an organization.
Front-row seat: A position offering the best view or direct involvement.
To bring to the front: To make something visible or known.
Front-facing camera: A camera on a device that points towards the user.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of front from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
