Forward vs. Onward: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 28, 2023
"Forward" refers to a direction towards the front or to a future point in time, whereas "onward" emphasizes progression or movement in a continuous direction.
Key Differences
Forward implies a direction towards the front or ahead, often suggesting advancement towards a goal or point in time. It can be used in physical and metaphorical contexts. Onward conveys a sense of continuous movement or progress, typically without specifying a particular direction. It emphasizes the idea of ongoing motion or development.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
In practical application, forward is often used to describe a specific direction, like moving towards a defined point. It can be applied to physical movement, as well as progress in time or stages. Onward suggests a continuation of a journey or process, often used to encourage ongoing effort or movement, without necessarily indicating a specific endpoint.
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Dec 28, 2023
In terms of connotation, forward can carry implications of improvement or progress, such as in technology or personal growth. It suggests moving ahead from a current position or state. Onward often carries a motivational tone, implying perseverance and continued effort, typically in the context of a journey or task.
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Dec 28, 2023
When considering usage in speech and writing, forward is frequently used in instructions, guidance, or to indicate future orientation. It's also common in business and personal development contexts. Onward is often used in inspirational or rallying contexts, suggesting determination and focus on continued progress.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
The nuances of forward and onward also extend to their symbolic meanings. Forward is often associated with looking ahead, planning for the future, and moving away from the past. Onward is more associated with the journey itself, the act of moving forward regardless of specific goals or endpoints.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Directionality
Specific, towards the front or ahead
General, indicating continuing movement
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Dec 28, 2023
Context
Physical direction, progress in time or stages
Ongoing journey or process
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Dec 28, 2023
Connotation
Improvement, advancement, future-orientation
Perseverance, continuous effort
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Dec 28, 2023
Common Usage
Instructions, guidance, business, personal growth
Inspirational, motivational, rallying contexts
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Dec 28, 2023
Symbolic Meaning
Looking ahead, planning, moving from past
Focus on the journey, enduring movement
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Dec 28, 2023
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Forward and Onward Definitions
Forward
Towards the front.
He looked forward, ignoring the distractions behind him.
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Dec 28, 2023
Onward
Indicating forward movement in time or sequence.
The story develops more complexity onward from the third chapter.
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Dec 28, 2023
Forward
Advanced in position or time.
The meeting was moved forward to an earlier date.
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Dec 28, 2023
Onward
Moving or continuing forward.
The expedition journeyed onward despite the challenges.
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Dec 28, 2023
Forward
At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.
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Oct 19, 2023
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Onward
Advancing in a continuous or progressive manner.
Onward, the team worked tirelessly on the project.
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Dec 28, 2023
Onward
Towards a further point or stage.
From that moment onward, their fate was sealed.
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Forward
Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Continuing without interruption or cessation.
The river flows onward to the sea.
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Dec 28, 2023
Forward
Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
In a direction or toward a position that is ahead in space or time; forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
(not comparable) Moving forward.
There was an onward rush as the gates opened.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Moving in a forward direction; tending toward a contemplated or desirable end; forward; as, an onward course, progress, etc.
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Forward
Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.
Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruits were of his friend's labor.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Toward a point before or in front; forward; progressively; as, to move onward.
Not one looks backward, onward still he goes.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Onward
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Situated toward or at the front of something.
The fire was confined to the forward portion of the store.
The forward gun in a ship, the forward ship in a fleet
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Forward
(of troops, guns etc.) Situated toward or near the enemy lines.
The forward battalion took a hammering.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction in which someone or something is facing.
My forward vision is fine, but my peripheral vision is poor.
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Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
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Forward
(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.
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Forward
Having the usual order or sequence.
The front of the fire engine has backward writing, that can be read in a mirror, as well as forward writing.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Expected or scheduled to take place in the future.
The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings.
The price for forward delivery is presently higher than the spot price.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.
These students are very forward in their learning.
The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.
She is a very forward young lady, not afraid to speak her mind.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
At, near or towards the front of something.
She was sitting well forward in the railway carriage.
The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In the direction in which someone or something is facing.
I leant forward to get a better look.
The grandfather clock toppled forward and crashed to the ground.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively; onwards.
After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward.
Wind the film forward a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour tonight!
We need to move this project forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
To an earlier point in time. See also bring forward.
The meeting has been moved forward an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 2 o'clock.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(transitive) To send (a letter, email etc.) on to a third party.
I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(rugby) One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(soccer) A player on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
(finance) A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the future; distinguished from a futures contract in that the latter is standardized and traded on an exchange.
Forward contract
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Near, or at the fore part; in advance of something else; as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a fleet.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense, overready; too hasty.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years.
I have known men disagreeably forward from their shyness.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; as, the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a forward spring.
The most forward budIs eaten by the canker ere it blow.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant; to forward one in improvement.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline
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Forward
Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
At or to or toward the front;
He faced forward
Step forward
She practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Toward the future; forward in time;
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments
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Oct 19, 2023
Forward
Progressing towards a future point.
Their research is moving forward rapidly.
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Dec 28, 2023
Forward
Sending something on to a further destination.
Please forward the mail to my new address.
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Dec 28, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
Is "onward" specific in direction?
No, onward generally indicates movement or progress without a specific direction.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can "forward" be used in a non-physical sense?
Yes, it can refer to progress in abstract contexts like time or development.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What does "onward" signify?
Onward emphasizes continuous movement or progression.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
How is "forward" commonly used?
Forward is used for specific directions, future orientation, and progress.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
In what contexts is "onward" typically used?
Onward is used to imply perseverance and ongoing effort in a process or journey.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What is a common use of "forward" in communication?
Forwarding messages or emails to another recipient.
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Dec 28, 2023
What does "forward" mean?
Forward refers to a direction towards the front or a future point in time.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can "onward" be used in rallying speeches?
Yes, it's frequently used in motivational contexts.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Does "onward" always indicate a physical journey?
No, it can also refer to non-physical processes or sequences.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Is "forward" used in instructions?
Yes, it's often used in directions or guidance.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Is "onward" used to describe continuity?
Yes, it often signifies uninterrupted continuation.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Does "forward" imply progression?
Yes, it often implies moving ahead or improving.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What emotional tone does "onward" carry?
Onward often has a motivational or inspirational tone.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can "forward" be used to refer to time?
Yes, it can indicate advancement in time or scheduling.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can "forward" indicate a future orientation in business?
Yes, it's often used to denote forward-thinking or planning.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
How does "onward" relate to time?
It implies progression through time or stages.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
What is the symbolic meaning of "onward"?
It symbolizes continuous effort and the journey itself.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Does "forward" have a motivational aspect?
It can, particularly in contexts of progress and development.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Can "forward" be used in a spatial context?
Yes, it's used to indicate movement towards the front.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
Does "onward" imply a definite end point?
Not necessarily; it focuses more on the act of moving forward.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 28, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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