Word
frontal
US/ˈfɹəntəɫ/
UK/fɹˈʌntəl/
Definitions
01at the front
C1 · Advanced Formal
adj. located at or directed toward the front of something.
adj. situated at or directed toward the front; often used to describe a direct, head-on approach or attack.
“The army decided against a frontal attack because the enemy's defenses were too strong.”
“The general dismissed the possibility of a frontal assault, opting instead for a flanking manoeuvre to exploit the enemy's weaker perimeter.”
02relating to the forehead
C1 · Advanced Medicine Technical
adj. relating to the forehead or the front part of the brain.
adj. pertaining to the forehead, the frontal bone, or the frontal lobe of the brain.
“The doctor explained that the frontal lobe of the brain helps us make decisions.”
“The patient suffered a fracture to the frontal bone following the collision, necessitating immediate neurological evaluation.”
Usage
Usually precedes the noun it modifies.
03weather fronts
C2 · Proficiency Science Technical
adj. relating to a weather front, where warm and cold air meet.
adj. of or relating to a meteorological front.
“The heavy rain was caused by a frontal system moving across the coast.”
“Meteorologists predicted that the arrival of the cold frontal boundary would trigger significant atmospheric instability and heavy precipitation.”
04altar covering
C2 · Proficiency Countable noun Religion Formal
n. a decorative cloth used to cover the front of a church altar.
n. a decorative hanging or drapery covering the front of an altar.
“The church used a beautiful gold frontal for the holiday service.”
“The cathedral's collection includes a sixteenth-century silk frontal, intricately embroidered with scenes from the lives of the saints.”
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Researchers also identified a left frontal region that may serve as a starting point for the loss.” “But there was a left frontal skin lesion and associated fracture likely suffered just before death, since there was no evidence of healing.” Etymology
Borrowed from New Latin frontālis, from frons (“the forehead, brow, front”) + -ālis (“-al”, adjectival suffix), equivalent to front + -al; cognate of French frontal. Doublet of frontalis.
From Middle English frountel, from Old French frontel, from Latin frontāle (“a frontlet, metal band for the forehead”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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