fore-
|fore|
🇺🇸
/fɔɹ/
🇬🇧
/fɔː/
before; in front
Etymology
'fore-' originates from Old English, specifically the word 'fore', where 'fore' meant 'before, in front'.
'fore' in Old English continued into Middle English as 'fore-' used as both a preposition/adverb and a prefix; over time it grammaticalized as the prefix 'fore-' used to form many compound words (e.g. 'foresee', 'foretell').
Initially it meant 'in front, before' in a spatial or temporal sense, and over time it has retained that basic sense while becoming a productive prefix to indicate 'earlier' or 'in front'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Particle 1
a prefix meaning 'before' in time or order; earlier than or in front of.
She could foresee the problems that would arise.
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Particle 2
a prefix indicating position toward the front or the forward part of something.
The foredeck (the front part of a ship) was swabbed.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2026/01/04 19:32