noun
forerunner
Forerunner (noun) means a person who runs at the head of a group, ahead of the others.
noun
1
A person who runs at the head of a group, ahead of the others.
2
Someone who is not taking part in a race but goes round the course first, to lead the way or check it is ready.
3
Something that comes before an event and hints at what is about to happen.
4
An earlier member of a family or group who came before the current ones.
"Bakelite is a forerunner of today's plastics."
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Etymology
Came from Middle English forrenner, foreriner, a calque of Latin praecursor (“one who runs before, a forerunner”). It can be analysed as fore- and runner, and/or as forerun and -er.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for forerunner
See all rhymes for forerunner →Frequently asked questions
What is the meaning of forerunner?
"forerunner" (noun) means a person who runs at the head of a group, ahead of the others.
What is another word for forerunner?
Other words for "forerunner" include harbinger, precursor, predecessor, antecedent, herald.
What is the opposite of forerunner?
Opposites of "forerunner" include follower, successor.
What are the different meanings of forerunner?
"forerunner" has 3 main meanings: 1. A person who runs at the head of a group, ahead of the others; 2. Someone who is not taking part in a race but goes round the course first, to lead the way or check it is ready; 3. Something that comes before an event and hints at what is about to happen.
