'carb-forward' originates from Modern English, specifically formed from the clipped word 'carb' (short for 'carbohydrate') and the adjective 'forward', where 'carb' meant 'carbohydrate' and 'forward' meant 'prominent or emphasized'.

'carb' is a clipping of 'carbohydrate', a word formed from Latin/French roots ('carbo' meaning 'coal' in Latin and elements from Greek 'hydr-' meaning 'water'); the clipped form 'carb' emerged in English usage in the 20th century, and the compound 'carb-forward' developed in late 20th / early 21st century as a descriptive culinary term.

Initially, 'carb' referred simply to 'carbohydrate' and 'forward' meant 'toward the front' or 'prominent'; combined as 'carb-forward', the compound came to mean 'placing prominence or emphasis on carbohydrates' in food descriptions.