Advance vs. Forward — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on November 6, 2023
Advance typically means to move upwards or make progress, while forward refers to a direction toward the front.
Difference Between Advance and Forward
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Advance refers to movement towards a higher level or a forward position, and can also denote development or improvement. It can imply a planned, strategic, or progressive movement. For instance, an army might advance towards an objective, or technology might advance over time.
Forward, on the other hand, indicates a direction, guiding movement towards the front or ahead in space or time. It often carries a literal meaning of directional movement, such as a player passing the ball forward in a game. Forward can also relate to an attitude or a position that is onward in time or order.
Advance can also suggest a preliminary version of something, such as an advance copy of a book, or it can denote the provision of something before it is due, like an advance in payment. It can be used as a noun or a verb, providing a sense of progression or an anticipation of future needs or events.
Forward can be used as an adjective, adverb, verb, or noun. It is less about the level of progression and more about the orientation or trajectory of movement. For example, an email can be forwarded to someone, or a person can be forward-thinking, suggesting a future-oriented mindset.
While an advance usually implies a beneficial progression or a preparatory step, forward can sometimes just mean onward without implying any improvement. An advance sets the stage for something to happen, while forward could simply be a continuation of a current state or a shift in position.
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Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Can be used as a noun and a verb.
Can be used as an adjective, adverb, verb, and noun.
Connotation
Often implies progress or improvement.
Implies a direction or orientation, not necessarily improvement.
Usage in Time
Can refer to something being done ahead of time.
Usually refers to the future in a general sense.
Physical Movement
Implies a deliberate move to a higher level or forward position.
Refers to the direction of movement towards the front.
Associated Actions
Can denote providing something beforehand, like an advance payment.
Can denote sending something onward, like forwarding an email.
Compare with Definitions
Advance
To move forward in a purposeful way
The troops prepared to advance at dawn.
Forward
Toward the front; in the direction that one is facing or traveling
He stepped forward to volunteer.
Advance
Move forwards in a purposeful way
The troops advanced on the capital
He advanced towards the dispatch box
Forward
In favor of change and new ideas; progressive
He has a forward-thinking approach to business.
Advance
Make or cause to make progress
Our knowledge is advancing all the time
It was a chance to advance his own interests
Forward
A position on a sports team that plays near the opponent's goal
As a forward, he scored the winning goal.
Advance
Put forward (a theory or suggestion)
The hypothesis I wish to advance in this article
Forward
In the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front
He started up the engine and the car moved forward
Rory leaned forward over the table
Advance
Lend (money) to (someone)
The building society advanced them a loan
Forward
Onward so as to make progress
The signing of the treaty is a big step forward
Advance
A forward movement
The rebels' advance on Madrid was well under way
The advance of civilization
Forward
Towards the future; ahead in time
Looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion
Advance
A development or improvement
Decades of great scientific advance
Advances in engineering techniques
Forward
Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling
The pilot's forward view
Forward flight
Advance
An amount of money paid before it is due or for work only partly completed
The author was paid a £250,000 advance
Forward
Relating to the future
A twelve-month forward forecast
Advance
An approach made to someone with the aim of initiating sexual or amorous relations
Her tutor made advances to her
Forward
Progressing towards a successful conclusion
The decision is a forward step
Advance
Done, sent, or supplied beforehand
Advance notice
Advance warning
Advance payment
Forward
(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner
I am not usually a forward sort of person
Advance
To cause to move forward
Advance a chess piece.
Forward
An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.
Advance
To put forward; propose or suggest
Advanced a novel theory during the seminar.
Forward
Agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date.
Advance
To aid the growth or progress of
Advanced the cause of freedom.
Forward
Send (a letter or email) on to a further destination
I recently received an email forwarded from a friend
My emails were forwarded to a friend
Advance
To raise in rank; promote.
Forward
Help to advance (something); promote
The scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology
Advance
To cause to occur sooner
Advance a deadline by one week.
Forward
At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.
Advance
To raise in amount or rate; increase.
Forward
Located ahead or in advance
Kept her eye on the forward horizon.
Advance
To pay (money or interest) before due.
Forward
Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
Advance
To supply or lend, especially on credit.
Forward
(Sports) Advancing toward an opponent's goal.
Advance
To serve as an advance person for (a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary)
"advanced the China trip during which the first trade agreements ... were signed" (Suzanne Perney).
Forward
Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.
Advance
(Archaic) To lift.
Forward
Ardently inclined; eager.
Advance
To go or move forward or onward.
Forward
Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold
A forward child.
Advance
To move against another, as when attacking
Advance on the enemy's position.
Forward
Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.
Advance
To make progress; improve.
Forward
Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.
Advance
To rise in rank, position, or value.
Forward
Exceptionally advanced; precocious.
Advance
To serve as an advance person for a trip to be made by a politician or a dignitary.
Forward
Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.
Advance
The act or process of moving or going forward.
Forward
Toward or tending to the front; frontward
Step forward.
Advance
A forward move, as toward an objective; a progressive step
An advance in genetic engineering.
Forward
Into consideration
Put forward a new proposal.
Advance
An increase of price or value.
Forward
In or toward the future
Looking forward to seeing you.
Advance
Advances Opening approaches made to secure acquaintance, favor, or an agreement; overtures.
Forward
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.
Advance
The furnishing of funds or goods on credit.
Forward
In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.
Advance
The funds or goods so furnished; a loan.
Forward
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.
Advance
Payment of money before due
An advance on next month's salary.
Forward
A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
Advance
The money so paid.
Forward
The position played by such a person.
Advance
Preparation, especially publicity, done prior to the appearance of a public figure or the staging of a public event.
Forward
To send on to a subsequent destination or address.
Advance
Made or given ahead of time
An advance payment.
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
Advance
Going before, in front, or forward.
Forward
(of troops, guns etc.) Situated toward or near the enemy lines.
The forward battalion took a hammering.
Advance
To promote or advantage.
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.
Advance
To help the progress of (something); to further.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
Advance
To raise (someone) in rank or office; to prefer, to promote.
Forward
(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.
Advance
To move forward in space or time.
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.
Advance
To move or push (something) forwards, especially forcefully.
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.
Advance
To make (something) happen at an earlier time or date; to bring forward, to hasten.
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.
Advance
(intransitive) To move forwards; to approach.
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.
Advance
To provide (money or other value) before it is due, or in expectation of some work; to lend.
Forward
(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.
Advance
To put forward (an idea, argument etc.); to propose.
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.
Advance
(intransitive) To make progress; to do well, to succeed.
Forward
(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
Advance
(intransitive) To move forward in time; to progress towards completion.
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.
Advance
To raise, be raised.
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.
Advance
To raise; to lift or elevate.
Forward
So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
Advance
To raise or increase (a price, rate).
Forward
In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
Advance
To increase (a number or amount).
Forward
Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
Advance
(intransitive) To make a higher bid at an auction.
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.
Advance
A forward move; improvement or progression.
An advance in health or knowledge
An advance in rank or office
Forward
(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
Advance
An amount of money or credit, especially given as a loan, or paid before it is due; an advancement.
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.
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value.
An advance on the prime cost of goods
Forward
To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.
Advance
(in the plural) An opening approach or overture, now especially of an unwelcome or sexual nature.
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).
Advance
Completed before necessary or a milestone event.
He made an advance payment on the prior shipment to show good faith.
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.
Advance
Preceding.
The advance man came a month before the candidate.
Forward
(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.
Advance
Forward.
The scouts found a site for an advance base.
Forward
(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.
Advance
To bring forward; to move towards the van or front; to make to go on.
Forward
(nautical) The front part of a vessel.
Advance
To raise; to elevate.
They . . . advanced their eyelids.
Forward
(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.
Advance
To raise to a higher rank; to promote.
Ahasueres . . . advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes.
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
Advance
To accelerate the growth or progress; to further; to forward; to help on; to aid; to heighten; as, to advance the ripening of fruit; to advance one's interests.
Forward
Agreement; covenant.
Advance
To bring to view or notice; to offer or propose; to show; as, to advance an argument.
Some ne'er advance a judgment of their own.
Forward
An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.
Advance
To make earlier, as an event or date; to hasten.
Forward
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.
Advance
To furnish, as money or other value, before it becomes due, or in aid of an enterprise; to supply beforehand; as, a merchant advances money on a contract or on goods consigned to him.
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.
Advance
To raise to a higher point; to enhance; to raise in rate; as, to advance the price of goods.
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.
Advance
To extol; to laud.
Greatly advancing his gay chivalry.
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.
Advance
To move or go forward; to proceed; as, he advanced to greet me.
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.
Advance
To increase or make progress in any respect; as, to advance in knowledge, in stature, in years, in price.
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.
Advance
To rise in rank, office, or consequence; to be preferred or promoted.
Advanced to a level with ancient peers.
Forward
To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
Advance
The act of advancing or moving forward or upward; progress.
Forward
The person who plays the position of forward on a basketball team
Advance
Improvement or progression, physically, mentally, morally, or socially; as, an advance in health, knowledge, or religion; an advance in rank or office.
Forward
A position on a basketball team
Advance
An addition to the price; rise in price or value; as, an advance on the prime cost of goods.
Forward
Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail
Advance
The first step towards the attainment of a result; approach made to gain favor, to form an acquaintance, to adjust a difference, etc.; an overture; a tender; an offer; - usually in the plural.
[He] made the like advances to the dissenters.
Forward
At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion
Advance
A furnishing of something before an equivalent is received (as money or goods), towards a capital or stock, or on loan; payment beforehand; the money or goods thus furnished; money or value supplied beforehand.
I shall, with pleasure, make the necessary advances.
The account was made up with intent to show what advances had been made.
Forward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
Advance
Before in place, or beforehand in time; - used for advanced; as, an advance guard, or that before the main guard or body of an army; advance payment, or that made before it is due; advance proofs, advance sheets, pages of a forthcoming volume, received in advance of the time of publication.
Forward
Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline
Advance
A movement forward;
He listened for the progress of the troops
Forward
Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear
Advance
A change for the better; progress in development
Forward
Moving forward
Advance
A tentative suggestion designed to elicit the reactions of others;
She rejected his advances
Forward
Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship
Advance
The act of moving forward toward a goal
Forward
Situated in the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
Advance
An amount paid before it is earned
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
Advance
Increase in price or value;
The news caused a general advance on the stock market
Forward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
Advance
Move forward, also in the metaphorical sense;
Time marches on
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
Advance
Bring forward for consideration or acceptance;
Advance an argument
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
Advance
Increase or raise;
Boost the voltage in an electrical circuit
Forward
Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments
Advance
Contribute to the progress or growth of;
I am promoting the use of computers in the classroom
Forward
Send a letter or email on to a further destination
She forwarded the message to her colleagues.
Advance
Cause to move forward;
Can you move the car seat forward?
Forward
To the future; ahead in time
They planned their strategy going forward.
Advance
Obtain advantages, such as points, etc.;
The home team was gaining ground
After defeating the Knicks, the Blazers pulled ahead of the Lakers in the battle for the number-one playoff berth in the Western Conference
Advance
Develop in a positive way;
He progressed well in school
My plants are coming along
Plans are shaping up
Advance
Develop further;
We are advancing technology every day
Advance
Give a promotion to or assign to a higher position;
John was kicked upstairs when a replacement was hired
Women tend not to advance in the major law firms
I got promoted after many years of hard work
Advance
Pay in advance;
Can you advance me some money?
Advance
Move forward;
We have to advance clocks and watches when we travel eastward
Advance
Rise in rate or price;
The stock market gained 24 points today
Advance
Being ahead of time or need;
Gave advance warning
Was beforehand with her report
Advance
Situated ahead or going before;
An advance party
At that time the most advanced outpost was still east of the Rockies
Advance
Payment before it is normally due
He received an advance on his salary.
Advance
A forward movement or improvement
The company's advance into new markets was successful.
Advance
The early provision of something
She got an advance copy of the bestselling novel.
Advance
To develop or bring forth new ideas
The research will advance our understanding of the disease.
Common Curiosities
Can "advance" ever be used interchangeably with "forward"?
In some contexts, such as "move advance/forward," they can be similar, but they are not always interchangeable.
Is "advance" always positive?
Typically, "advance" has a positive connotation of progress or improvement.
Can "forward" be used to describe a personality?
Yes, describing someone as "forward" can mean they are assertive or too bold.
Is "forward" related to the future?
"Forward" often implies a relation to the future, especially when used as an adverb.
Can "advance" refer to career progression?
Yes, "advance" can be used to describe career advancement or promotion.
Does "forward" imply motion in space only?
"Forward" can refer to movement in space or time and can also indicate a person’s outlook.
Does "advance" have financial connotations?
Yes, "advance" can refer to a payment received or given in anticipation of a future transaction.
Is "forward" always about physical direction?
No, "forward" can also be metaphorical, as in moving forward with plans.
Do both "advance" and "forward" imply a sequence?
"Advance" implies a sequence in progression, while "forward" can simply mean the next position or point in time.
Can "forward" be a command?
Yes, "forward" can be used as a command to direct someone to move in that direction.
Is "advance" primarily a business term?
"Advance" is used in many contexts, including but not limited to business.
Can "advance" be used in sports?
Yes, it can describe a team or player moving towards a goal or higher ranking.
Can "advance" be used as an adjective?
"Advance" is not typically used as an adjective; it’s more common as a verb or noun.
Are "advance" and "forward" both used in military contexts?
Yes, both terms can be used in military contexts, but "advance" often implies an attack or strategic movement.
Are "advance" and "forward" used differently in time management?
"Advance" might be used for preparing ahead, while "forward" is more about looking or planning ahead.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
