Forethought is thinking ahead and planning for what might happen before you act. When you pack an umbrella because rain is forecast for later, that's forethought. When a chess player considers her next three moves before touching a piece, she's using forethought.

Someone with forethought anticipates problems and prepares solutions. A student who starts a big project early instead of waiting until the night before is showing forethought. A family that saves money for emergencies is practicing forethought.

Forethought is different from just worrying. Worry is anxious and often unproductive, while forethought is purposeful and leads to action. When you think through the consequences of your choices before making them, you're using forethought. When you prepare for a camping trip by checking the weather, packing extra socks, and bringing a first-aid kit, that's forethought in action.

The opposite of forethought is acting impulsively or recklessly. Someone who dives into a lake without checking how deep it is is acting without forethought. People who consistently use forethought tend to avoid unnecessary problems and find themselves better prepared when challenges arise.