Standard Lemma guide

forwardness

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

noun

Meaning 1

The quality of being forward.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable, usually

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

prompt willingness

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • readiness to continue discussions
  • they showed no eagerness to spread the gospel
  • they disliked his zeal in demonstrating his superiority
  • he tried to explain his forwardness in battle

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: readiness, eagerness, zeal

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: willingness

3

noun

Meaning 3

an advanced stage

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • the forwardness of the harvest this year
  • the arts are in no kind of forwardness in this matter

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: earliness

4

noun

Meaning 4

offensive boldness and assertiveness

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: bumptiousness, cockiness, pushiness

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: assertiveness, self-assertiveness

History

Etymology

Etymology tree English forward Proto-Germanic *-inōną Proto-Indo-European *-dyé- Proto-Germanic *-atjaną Proto-Indo-European *-tus Proto-Germanic *-þuz Proto-Germanic *-assuz Proto-Germanic *-inassuz Proto-West Germanic *-nassī Old English -nes Middle English -nesse English -ness English forwardness From forward + -ness.