forefront
gb/fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/ us/fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
B2
English
~ 9000
élvonal, élen jár, előtér, első helyen áll, középpont, eleje
NOUN
B2
1
Usage pattern:
at the forefront of [an activity/field]
This small startup is at the forefront of renewable energy research.
Ez a kis startup élen jár a megújuló energiaforrások kutatásában.
The country wants to be at the forefront of the global fight against climate change.
Az ország élen akar járni az éghajlatváltozás elleni globális küzdelemben.
Her laboratory has remained at the forefront of cancer treatment for over a decade.
The report pushed privacy issues to the forefront of public debate.
Women were at the forefront of the protest movement.
Learner examples
Our company is at the forefront of mobile phone design.
Cégünk a mobiltelefon-tervezés élvonalában van.
They want to stay at the forefront of computer security.
Az informatikai biztonság élvonalában akarnak maradni.
These young artists are at the forefront of modern dance.
The scandal brought corruption to the forefront of the news.
The team is working hard to remain at the forefront of medical research.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes say *"in the front of" a field instead of "at the forefront of". Use "at the forefront of" for the idea of leading or being most advanced in an area, not "in the front of". Learners may also confuse "forefront" with "front"; "front" is usually physical position (the front of the class), while "forefront" is more about importance or progress in an area.
Meaning
the leading or most advanced position
Collocations
at the forefront of
|remain at the forefront
|stay at the forefront
|bring [something] to the forefront
|push [something] to the forefront
|in the forefront of
Synonyms
vanguard (More formal or literary; often used for people leading a movement or trend.)
|
leading edge (Often used for technology or progress; slightly more informal and metaphorical.)
|
front line (Can sound more dramatic; often used for direct involvement in difficult or dangerous work.)
Antonyms
background (Suggests a less noticed or less important position.)
|
sidelines (Shows a position away from the main or active place in an activity.)
Themes
business
|science
|politics
|technology
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The most important and active position in a certain area of work, study, or activity.
The most advanced, important, or active position in a particular activity, field, or development.
NOUN
C1
2
Usage pattern:
in the forefront of [someone’s mind / public debate]
The safety of the children was in the forefront of her mind throughout the trip.
Az út során végig szem előtt tartotta a gyerekek biztonságát.
Mental health has finally come to the forefront of public discussion.
A mentális egészség végre előtérbe került a közbeszédben.
With the war, security issues moved to the forefront of voters’ concerns.
These questions are at the forefront of our thinking as we plan the project.
The scandal pushed ethics to the forefront of the company’s internal debate.
Learner examples
Her family is always in the forefront of her mind.
A családja mindig első helyen áll nála.
Since the accident, safety has come to the forefront of our talks.
A baleset óta a beszélgetéseinkben a biztonság került előtérbe.
These problems are in the forefront of public debate.
The news story moved climate change to the forefront of people’s thoughts.
Health issues are now at the forefront of my thinking.
Common mistake:
Learners may try to say *"on the forefront of my mind" instead of "in the forefront of my mind" or "at the forefront of my mind". Also, they sometimes confuse "forefront of my mind" with "front of my head"; only "forefront of my mind" is natural for thoughts and concerns.
Meaning
the main focus of attention
Collocations
in the forefront of my mind
|in the forefront of public debate
|in the forefront of attention
|move to the forefront
|come to the forefront
Synonyms
spotlight (More informal and metaphorical, especially in media or entertainment contexts.)
|
center of attention (A more general phrase for something that everyone is watching or talking about.)
Antonyms
back of my mind (Means something is present in thought but not strongly or actively considered.)
|
obscurity (Describes a state of receiving almost no attention or notice.)
Themes
emotions
|media
|politics
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The place of being most important in what people think or talk about.
The position of being most prominent in someone’s thoughts, or in public attention and discussion.
NOUN
B2
3
eleje
A1
Usage pattern:
the forefront of [a place/area]
She stepped to the forefront of the stage and began to sing.
A színpad elejére lépett, és énekelni kezdett.
A small group of fans rushed to the forefront of the crowd.
A rajongók egy kisebb csoportja a tömeg elejére rohant.
In the painting, bright flowers fill the forefront of the scene.
The soldiers moved quickly to the forefront of the battlefield.
Learner examples
The actor walked to the forefront of the stage.
A színész a színpad elejére sétált.
Children stood at the forefront of the crowd to see better.
A gyerekek a tömeg elején álltak, hogy jobban lássanak.
In this photo, a tree is in the forefront.
He pushed to the forefront of the line.
Common mistake:
Learners typically use "front" instead of "forefront" for physical position, which is usually correct and more natural. "Forefront" for physical space is less common and can sound formal or literary; in everyday speech, prefer "front" ("the front of the stage" rather than "the forefront of the stage").
Meaning
the very front part of something
Collocations
the forefront of the stage
|the forefront of the crowd
|the forefront of the picture
Synonyms
front (More general and much more common for physical position; does not suggest the special or slightly formal tone of "forefront".)
|
front line (Used more for military or conflict situations; can also mean the most exposed front position.)
Antonyms
rear (Refers to the back part of an area or object, opposite to the front.)
|
back (The opposite side or area from the front.)
Themes
space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The very front part of a place or space.
The foremost or frontmost part of a place or thing, especially an area facing forward.
Grammar
Dictionary form
forefront
IPA
GB/fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
US/fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
Syllables & stress
fore - front (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (fore)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: forefront
- Plural: forefronts
Word family
Expressions
at the forefront of
1/ˈæt ðə fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt əv/
fixed phrase
in the leading position of
To be the most advanced or most active in a certain area of work, study, or activity.
Examples
- The university is at the forefront of artificial intelligence research.
- We want our company to be at the forefront of green technology.
bring [something] to the forefront
1/bɹˈɪŋ sˈʌmθɪŋ tə ðə fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
fixed phrase
make something the main focus
To make a subject or problem become very important and widely talked about.
Examples
- The crisis brought long-standing inequalities to the forefront.
- Her research has brought mental health to the forefront in schools.
come to the forefront
1/kˈʌm tə ðə fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
fixed phrase
become important or prominent
To become very important or get a lot of attention.
Examples
- Questions about data privacy have come to the forefront in recent years.
- New leaders are coming to the forefront in the organization.
in the forefront of
1/ˈɪn ðə fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt əv/
fixed phrase
in the most visible position
To be in a very important, active, or visible position in a certain area or situation.
Examples
- Young voters were in the forefront of the campaign.
- These issues are in the forefront of the national conversation.
push [something] to the forefront
1/pˈʊʃ sˈʌmθɪŋ tə ðə fˈɔɹfɹˌʌnt/
fixed phrase
force something into main focus
To actively make a topic or problem very important and hard to ignore.
Examples
- The report pushed corruption to the forefront of the election campaign.
- Rising costs have pushed the question of wages to the forefront.