forth

1 of 2

adverb

ˈfȯrth How to pronounce forth (audio)
Synonyms of forth
1
: onward in time, place, or order : forward
from that day forth
2
: out into notice or view
put forth leaves
lava bursting forth from the volcano
3
obsolete : away, abroad
see also:
bring forth hold forth put forth set forth

forth

2 of 2

preposition

archaic
: forth from : out of

Synonyms of forth

Relevance

Adverb

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of forth in a Sentence

Adverb a flow of lava bursting forth from the earth The snow is gone and the flowers are ready to spring forth. He went forth to spread the news. She stretched forth her hands in prayer.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adverb
The episode cuts back and forth between John’s tense interview and his upbringing, revealing how John was conditioned to be fearless from a young age. — Matt Minton, Variety, 31 Aug. 2026 King went back and forth to Ward 10 several times, and these institutionalizations marked the beginning of a dark period for the family. — Laura Preston, New Yorker, 30 Aug. 2026
Preposition
Popular and literary myth tells that when martyrs die on the soil, the earth receiving their blood will give forth new fighters, thus the roses scattered on the cracking mud. — Tessa Solomon, ARTnews.com, 26 Aug. 2026 For Jefferson, the teachings of Jesus as set forth in the Gospels were just and good, an exemplary code of ethics for others to follow. — Letters To The Editor, The Orlando Sentinel, 28 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for forth

Word History

Etymology

Adverb and Preposition

Middle English, from Old English; akin to Old English for

First Known Use

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Preposition

circa 1575, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of forth was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing forth

Rhymes for forth

See All Rhymes for forth

Browse Nearby Words

Fort George
forth
Forth
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Forth.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/forth. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

forth

adverb
ˈfō(ə)rth, 
ˈfȯ(ə)rth
1
: forward entry 2, onward
from that time forth
back and forth
2
: out into view
plants putting forth leaves

Geographical Definition

Forth

geographical name

ˈfȯrth How to pronounce Forth (audio)
river 116 miles (187 kilometers) long in south central Scotland flowing east into the Firth of Forth, an estuary 48 miles (77 kilometers) long that is an inlet of the North Sea
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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