forward-flowing
|for-ward-flow-ing|
🇺🇸
/ˈfɔrwərdˌfloʊɪŋ/
🇬🇧
/ˈfɔːwədˌfləʊɪŋ/
moving/flowing ahead
Etymology
'forward-flowing' originates from English compounding of 'forward' and 'flowing'. 'forward' comes from Old English 'forweard', where 'for-' meant 'toward' and 'weard' meant 'ward, facing'; 'flowing' comes from Old English 'flōwan' meaning 'to flow'.
'forward' changed from Old English 'forweard' and kept the sense of 'toward the front'; 'flow' developed from Old English 'flōwan' into Middle English 'flowen' and then modern English 'flow'. The compound 'forward-flowing' is a modern descriptive formation combining these elements.
Initially the parts meant 'toward' (forward) and 'to move by stream' (flow); combined, the compound has kept the straightforward meaning 'flowing toward the front' and has been extended metaphorically to mean 'moving forward' or 'progressing'.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Adjective 1
moving or flowing in a forward direction (physically, e.g., water, air, traffic).
After the breach, the river became forward-flowing and rushed toward the valley.
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Adjective 2
progressing or moving ahead in time or development (metaphorical use).
The company adopted a forward-flowing approach to product development, prioritizing rapid iteration.
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Last updated: 2025/09/28 01:47