fore

Fore is a word with several related but distinct uses in English. It derives from Old English fore-, meaning before or in front, and appears as a prefix, an adverb, and a noun in specialized contexts.

As a prefix, fore- attaches to words to indicate frontness or prior occurrence: forecast, forewarn, foreground, forearm, foretaste, foresee. In modern English, it remains productive in many compounds and can convey both spatial and temporal sense of “in front” or “earlier.”

In nautical terms, fore denotes the front or bow of a vessel. The fore part of a ship includes the foredeck and the forecastle; the opposite area is aft. This usage is common in historical and maritime writing and remains part of ship terminology.

In sport, the interjection “Fore!” is shouted to warn players and spectators of a wayward ball approaching; its origin is uncertain but it is widely used in golf and other ball sports.

In publishing, a foreword is an introductory essay placed at the beginning of a book, typically written by someone other than the author; the term reflects the sense of “before” in time.

The word also appears in set phrases such as fore-and-aft, forefather, and forecastle, illustrating its core idea of front position or precedence. Fore thus functions across multiple domains—linguistic formation, navigational terminology, ceremonial warnings, and literary conventions—while retaining a common root meaning of “before” or “in front.”