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Forward vs. Onward — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
Forward refers to a direction or movement toward the front or a destination; Onward pertains to moving in a continuing direction or resuming a course without necessarily having a specific endpoint.
Forward vs. Onward — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Forward and Onward

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Key Differences

Forward and Onward, while often used interchangeably in conversational English, contain subtle differences in meaning and usage. Forward emphasizes directionality, especially towards the front or towards a particular destination. It is tied to a relative point of reference, often implying a trajectory from a starting point to an endpoint. Onward, on the other hand, conveys a sense of progression and continuation, without necessarily having a specific endpoint in mind.
When thinking about movement or progression, Forward tends to indicate a specific direction, usually in alignment with the way one is facing or oriented. For instance, when giving directions, one might say, "Move forward to the next intersection." Onward tends to be more abstract, emphasizing the act of moving ahead, without specifying the exact direction. An explorer might exclaim, "Onward to new adventures!" suggesting a continuous journey rather than a fixed destination.
It's also worth noting the additional usages and connotations of Forward. Beyond direction, it can mean being presumptuous or being placed at a future time. An email can be forwarded to someone else. Onward doesn't share these connotations. Its primary emphasis remains on the act of moving or progressing continuously, often after a pause or interruption. A motivational speaker might urge, "Life throws challenges, but we must move onward!"
Lastly, in phrases and idioms, the distinction becomes clearer. "Forward-thinking" means planning for the future, whereas "onward and upward" denotes continuous progress and improvement. While both terms push towards the future, Forward often has a clearer, more directed sense, while Onward encapsulates a broader, relentless progression.

Comparison Chart

Primary Meaning

Toward the front or destination
Moving in continuation, especially after an interruption
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Relative Direction

Specific direction (often aligned with facing orientation)
More abstract, not necessarily front-oriented

Endpoint

Often has a clear endpoint
Might not have a specified endpoint

Additional Connotations

Can mean presumptuous or at a future time
Primarily about continuous progress

Phrase Examples

"Forward-thinking", "Move forward with the plan"
"Onward and upward", "March onward"

Compare with Definitions

Forward

To a future time or later date.
I've moved the meeting forward to Tuesday.

Onward

Resuming a course or journey after an interruption.
After the break, the conference moved onward.

Forward

Sending something on to another destination.
I'll forward your email to the manager.

Onward

In a manner that makes progress.
He worked onward, undeterred by failures.

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

Onward

Relentlessly or without stopping.
The soldiers marched onward despite the rain.

Forward

Onward so as to make progress
The signing of the treaty is a big step forward

Onward

In a continuing forward direction; ahead
She stumbled onward

Forward

Towards the future; ahead in time
Looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion

Onward

(of a journey) continuing or moving forward
Informing passengers where to change for their onward journey
The onward march of history

Forward

Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling
The pilot's forward view
Forward flight

Onward

Moving or tending forward.

Forward

Relating to the future
A twelve-month forward forecast

Onward

In a direction or toward a position that is ahead in space or time; forward.

Forward

Progressing towards a successful conclusion
The decision is a forward step

Onward

(not comparable) Moving forward.
There was an onward rush as the gates opened.

Forward

(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner
I am not usually a forward sort of person

Onward

Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.

Forward

An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.

Onward

In a forward direction.

Forward

Agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date.

Onward

To keep going; to progress or persevere.

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

Onward

Moving in a forward direction; tending toward a contemplated or desirable end; forward; as, an onward course, progress, etc.

Forward

Help to advance (something); promote
The scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology

Onward

Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.
Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruits were of his friend's labor.

Forward

At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.

Onward

Toward a point before or in front; forward; progressively; as, to move onward.
Not one looks backward, onward still he goes.

Forward

Located ahead or in advance
Kept her eye on the forward horizon.

Onward

Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events

Forward

Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.

Onward

Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward

Forward

(Sports) Advancing toward an opponent's goal.

Onward

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

Forward

Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.

Onward

In a continuing direction, especially forward.
From this point, we travel onward to the mountains.

Forward

Ardently inclined; eager.

Onward

Towards a point ahead or into the future.
From 2020 onward, the company saw massive growth.

Forward

Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold
A forward child.

Forward

Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.

Forward

Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.

Forward

Exceptionally advanced; precocious.

Forward

Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.

Forward

Toward or tending to the front; frontward
Step forward.

Forward

Into consideration
Put forward a new proposal.

Forward

In or toward the future
Looking forward to seeing you.

Forward

In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.

Forward

In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.

Forward

At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.

Forward

A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.

Forward

The position played by such a person.

Forward

To send on to a subsequent destination or address.

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

Forward

(of troops, guns etc.) Situated toward or near the enemy lines.
The forward battalion took a hammering.

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.

Forward

Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum

Forward

(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Forward

(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.

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.

Forward

(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).

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.

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.

Forward

So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.

Forward

In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.

Forward

Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.

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.

Forward

(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.

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.

Forward

To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.

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).

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.

Forward

(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.

Forward

(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.

Forward

(nautical) The front part of a vessel.

Forward

(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.

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

Forward

Agreement; covenant.

Forward

An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.

Forward

Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Forward

To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.

Forward

The person who plays the position of forward on a basketball team

Forward

A position on a basketball team

Forward

Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail

Forward

At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion

Forward

Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events

Forward

Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline

Forward

Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear

Forward

Moving forward

Forward

Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship

Forward

Situated in the front;
The forward section of the aircraft

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

Forward

Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward

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

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

Forward

Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments

Forward

Towards the front or direction one is facing.
Always look forward when driving.

Forward

In the direction of progress or improvement.
We need to think forward if we want to succeed.

Forward

Being bold or presumptuous.
It might be considered forward to ask about his salary.

Common Curiosities

Is there a phrase that encapsulates the spirit of Onward?

Yes, "onward and upward" signifies continuous progress.

Does Forward always mean towards the front?

Often, but it can also indicate future time or progression in general.

Is Onward always about continuing a journey?

Primarily, especially after a pause or interruption, but it can be abstract.

Can Forward refer to being presumptuous?

Yes, calling someone "forward" can mean they're overly bold.

What's a phrase using Forward about planning?

"Forward-thinking" means planning for the future.

In a relay race, is the next runner referred to as "onward"?

No, they are often referred to as the "forward" runner.

If I say "From now onward," what does that mean?

It means "from this point into the future."

Does Onward imply not having a clear endpoint?

Often, it emphasizes continuation more than a specific destination.

Is Onward more abstract than Forward?

Generally, yes. Onward emphasizes progression, not necessarily a specific direction.

Can Forward and Onward be used interchangeably?

Sometimes, especially regarding movement, but they have nuanced differences.

Can I use Forward when sending emails?

Yes, you can "forward" an email, sending it to someone else.

How is Forward used in terms of time?

It can indicate a future time, like moving an event "forward" to an earlier date.

Which word emphasizes progression after an interruption?

Onward often emphasizes progression, especially after a pause or interruption.

Can Onward be used in terms of time?

Yes, like "from this year onward," indicating a continuation from a point in time.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba 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.

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