# foreword

/ˈfɔɹˌwɝd/ (US) · /fˈɔːwɜːd/ (UK) · CEFR C1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/foreword
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a short piece of writing at the very beginning of a book. It is usually written by someone other than the author to introduce the book to readers.

For teachers: a short introductory essay preceding the main text of a book, typically authored by someone other than the primary writer to provide context or endorsement.

## Examples

- The famous professor wrote a foreword for her student's first book.
- In the new edition's foreword, the editor explains why the original text remains relevant to modern readers.
- The author was deeply honoured when his literary hero agreed to contribute a foreword, as such an endorsement would surely attract a wider audience to his debut novel.

## Pitfalls

- Not "the book's forward" but "the book's foreword" — Learners often use the directional word 'forward' instead of the literary term 'foreword'.

## Usage notes

- Often confused with 'forward' due to identical pronunciation; the spelling 'fore-' refers to its position at the front of the book.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.