up-front

1 of 2

adjective

ˌəp-ˈfrənt How to pronounce up-front (audio)
ˈəp-ˌfrənt
: being or coming in or at the front: such as
a(1)
(2)
: being in a conspicuous or leading position
b
: paid or payable in advance
c
: playing in a front line (as in football)

up front

2 of 2

adverb

1
: in or at the front
2
: in advance
3
: in an up-front manner : frankly, forthrightly

Examples of up-front in a Sentence

Adjective some hurt feelings could have been spared if he'd been more up-front about whom he was inviting to the party
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.
Adjective
At the same time, solar companies concocted leasing arrangements that helped limit up-front costs. Brendan I. Koerner, WIRED, 13 Jan. 2025 While employers using the H-1B may benefit from filling critical roles and even reducing salary costs, as some claim, participating in the program carries heavy up-front financial and administrative costs that are not practical for many organizations. Daniel R. Depetris, Newsweek, 11 Jan. 2025
Adverb
This small investment of time up front could save you exponential time and resources down the road. Expert Panel®, Forbes, 16 Jan. 2025 While the running backs get much of the praise, Montgomery said the big guys up front deserve more love. Larry Lage, Chicago Tribune, 15 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for up-front 

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1945, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1937, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of up-front was in 1937

Dictionary Entries Near up-front

Cite this Entry

“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 24 Jan. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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