forward

Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
forward/ˈfɔːwəd/

▶adverb (also forwards)

• 1 in the direction that one is facing or travelling.

  ■ in or near the front of a ship or aircraft.

• 2 onward so as to make progress.

• 3 in the normal order or sequence.

• 4 ahead in time.

▶adjective

• 1 towards the direction that one is facing or travelling.

  ■ situated in or near the front of a ship or aircraft.

• 2 relating to the future.

  ■ progressing towards a successful result.

• 3 bold or overfamiliar in manner.

• 4 further advanced than expected or required.

▶noun

• 1 an attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.

• 2 (forwards) agreements to trade specified assets at a specified price at a certain future date. Compare with future (sense 4 of the noun).

▶verb

• 1 send (a letter) on to a further destination.

  ■ dispatch; send.

• 2 help to advance.

– derivatives
forwarder noun,
forwardly adverb,
forwardness noun.

– origin OE forweard, var. of forthweard (see forth, -ward).