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REFERENCE

forehead

n.
US //ˈfɔɹhɛd// UK //fˈɔːhɛd// fore·head
  1. 1 part of the face (n.)
    A2 Elementary

    the part of your face that is above your eyes and below your hair.

    the anatomical region of the face situated between the eyebrows and the hairline.

    Example

    He wiped the sweat from his forehead after finishing the long run.

    Example

    The doctor placed a cool hand on the child's forehead to check for a fever before reaching for the thermometer.
  2. 2 phone bezel (n.)
    C1 Advanced Informal Technical Computing

    the top part of a mobile phone or tablet above the screen.

    the upper portion of a smartphone or tablet bezel, typically housing the front camera and sensors.

    Example

    Modern phones have very thin foreheads to make the screen look bigger.

    Example

    The latest flagship model eliminates the forehead entirely by hiding the proximity sensors and camera beneath the display panel.

    Usage

    Often paired with 'chin' to describe the bottom bezel of a device.
    • top bezel
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  1. 3 boldness (n.)
    C2 Proficiency Literary Archaic

    a lot of confidence or being rude in a brave way.

    audacity, impudence, or shameless confidence.

    Example

    He had the forehead to ask for a raise after being late every day.

    Example

    The young clerk had the forehead to challenge the senior partner's legal interpretation during the open meeting.

    Teacher's tip

    This sense is very rare in modern speech; learners should use 'nerve' or 'audacity' instead.
Origin

From Middle English forhed, forheed, from Old English forehēafod, from Proto-West Germanic *forēhaubid, corresponding to fore- + head. Cognate with Scots foreheid (“forehead”), Dutch voorhoofd (“forehead”), German Vorhaupt (“forehead”), Danish forhoved (“brow; forehead; face”). Compare also West Frisian foarholle (“forehead”), German Low German Vörkopp (“forehead”).

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