Fore- is a prefix that means “before” or “in front of.” When you add it to the beginning of a word, it tells you something came earlier in time or is positioned toward the front.

In time, fore- signals something that happens ahead of something else. Your forefather is an ancestor who lived before you, maybe your great-great-grandfather. To foresee something means to know about it before it happens, like when dark clouds help you foresee rain. A foreword is the section before the main text of a book begins.

In space, fore- points to the front position. Your forehead is the front part of your head, above your eyes. On a ship, the fore is the front section, while the back is called the aft or stern. Your forearm is the part of your arm between your elbow and wrist.

Whether it's about time or position, fore- points to what comes before or what's out in front.