adj Uncommon

upfront

uhp-FRUHNT

Upfront (adj) means Honest and direct, especially about something that might be uncomfortable to say. Example: “I appreciate that she was upfront about the delays.”

adj

Honest and direct, especially about something that might be uncomfortable to say.

"I appreciate that she was upfront about the delays."

"He was upfront with us about the risks involved."

Paid or required before a service is provided.

"The contractor asked for an upfront payment before starting work."

adv

In advance, before anything else happens.

"You need to pay upfront to reserve your seat."

How to use upfront

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishBeing direct and honest, or paying/happening before the fact.

Common pairings

upfront cost upfront about pay upfront

Word forms

more upfront comparative, upfronted past tense, upfronts plural, upfronts singular, most upfront superlative

Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.

Test yourself on “upfront” A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage →

Fill the gap

Can you complete this real example?

I appreciate that she was _____ about the delays.

Frequently asked questions

What does “upfront” mean?

The word “upfront” means honest and direct, especially about something that might be uncomfortable to say. In plain terms, being direct and honest, or paying/happening before the fact.

How do you pronounce “upfront”?

“Upfront” is pronounced uhp-FRUHNT (/ʌpˈfɹʌnt/ in IPA).

How do you use “upfront” in a sentence?

Here is “upfront” used in a sentence: “I appreciate that she was upfront about the delays.”

What part of speech is “upfront”?

Depending on how it is used, “upfront” can be an adjective and an adverb.

Is “upfront” a common word?

“Upfront” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “upfront” have?

“Upfront” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: honest and direct, especially about something that might be uncomfortable to say.

Featured in

Vocabulary lists that include upfront:

Words that start with U