fore-and-aft

1 of 2

adjective

ˌfȯr-ə-ˈnaft 

1

: lying, running, or acting in the general line of the length of a construction (such as a ship or a house) : longitudinal

2

: having no square sails

fore and aft

2 of 2

adverb

1

: lengthwise of a ship : from stem to stern

2

: in, at, or toward both the bow and stern

3

: in or at the front and back or the beginning and end

Examples of fore-and-aft in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Those Magic Slide seats in the second-row are far more comfortable than the Pacifica's Stow-and-Go second-row seats, and the Honda's chairs can move both side-to-side and fore-and-aft, allowing for multiple configurations that keep the peace when sibling rivalries escalate. —Jonathon Ramsey, Car and Driver, 22 Aug. 2023

This setup provides commendable ride isolation over sharp impacts but results in more fore-and-aft hobby horsing over dips in the road, more body roll, and peculiar behavior in transient maneuvers. —Frank Markus, Car and Driver, 15 July 2023

Adverb

Integrated lighting fore and aft should help with visibility in daytime traffic, or illuminate the way home after dark. —New Atlas, 9 Aug. 2024

The 1200 had plentiful seating fore and aft, capable of carrying 12 passengers, along with a nice selection of gizmos, including dual electric sunroofs, gullwing doors, and side-platform doors with windows. —Chloe Braithwaite, Robb Report, 2 May 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1820, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adverb

circa 1618, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fore-and-aft

adjective

ˌfōr-ə-ˈnaft,

ˌfȯr-

1

: lying, running, or acting along the length of a structure (as of a ship)

fore-and-aft sails

2

: having no square sails