English Reference
Noun

forehand

n. countable
C2 Proficiency US /ˈfɔɹˌhænd/ UK /fˈɔːhænd/ fore·hand UK spelling forehands

n.the front part of the body, especially the chest or the front of the arm. It is an old-fashioned word that people rarely use today.

n.the front part of the body, specifically the chest or the anterior surface of the arm. Primarily used in historical or anatomical contexts; largely archaic in modern general usage.


SIMPLE

The knight wore a heavy shield to protect his forehand.

CONTEXTUAL

In the old medical texts, the surgeon described the injury as being located on the patient's forehand.

COMPLEX

The poet used the term to describe the 'noble forehand' of the hero, emphasizing the character's physical presence and moral strength in a way that feels dated to modern readers.

While he impressed with his forehand and delicate drop shots, his serve did not carry the threat it usually does.

BBC News· 31 Aug 2026

From fore- + hand.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C2 · Proficiency
Frequency Occasional
Updated