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
Fiber internet often comes with more stable pricing and fewer promotional rate hikes, but may require a higher up-front cost due to installation and infrastructure. Roxanne Downer, USA Today, 26 July 2025 The companies offering HECs emphasize the large, up-front cash payments and the speed of funding. Lew Sichelman, Miami Herald, 17 July 2025
Adverb
Even better if that player can fill in up front, too. Patrick Boyland, New York Times, 11 July 2025 More inventory and longer days on the market mean sellers are having to renegotiate the starting prices up front now to attract the right buyers. Giulia Carbonaro, MSNBC Newsweek, 10 July 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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Up-front.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/up-front. Accessed 2 Aug. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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