adj
Uncommon
anterior
an-TEER-ree-uh
Anterior (adj) means Located toward the front, especially of the body — nearer the head end rather than the back. Example: “The anterior part of the skull houses the eyes and nose.”
adj
1
Located toward the front, especially of the body — nearer the head end rather than the back.
"The anterior part of the skull houses the eyes and nose."
"The doctor felt pain in the anterior chest wall."
2
Coming before something else in time or sequence.
"The anterior clause in the contract sets the terms for everything that follows."
How to use anterior
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAt the front (in anatomy) or earlier (in time).
Common mistake
Anterior means "front/earlier"; posterior means "back/later" — they're opposites, easy to swap by mistake.
Easily confused with
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The _____ part of the skull houses the eyes and nose.
Etymology
Borrowed from Latin anterior, "that which is before" — the comparative form of ante, "before."
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for anterior
See all rhymes for anterior →Frequently asked questions
What does “anterior” mean?
The word “anterior” means located toward the front, especially of the body — nearer the head end rather than the back. In plain terms, at the front (in anatomy) or earlier (in time).
How do you pronounce “anterior”?
“Anterior” is pronounced an-TEER-ree-uh (/ænˈtɪɹ.i.ɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “anterior” in a sentence?
Here is “anterior” used in a sentence: “The anterior part of the skull houses the eyes and nose.”
What is the opposite of “anterior”?
The opposite of “anterior” — its antonyms — is posterior.
What part of speech is “anterior”?
“Anterior” is an adjective.
Where does the word “anterior” come from?
The word “anterior” comes from Latin. Borrowed from Latin anterior, "that which is before" — the comparative form of ante, "before.".
Is “anterior” a common word?
“Anterior” is an uncommon word in modern English.
How many meanings does “anterior” have?
“Anterior” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: located toward the front, especially of the body — nearer the head end rather than the back.
