forethought means thought of, or planned, beforehand. It carries an Arena rating of 1697, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, forethought ranks #2,824 of 17,052 for Most Ponderous Words, #4,195 of 17,052 for Most Exacting Words, #6,672 of 17,057 for Most Ingenious Words, #7,523 of 17,052 for Most Sublime Words.
forethought is pronounced /fɔː(ɹ)ˈθɔːt/.
Why “forethought” is a great word
The deliberate planning for or anticipation of what is to come. From Middle English *forethouht*, *forethoght*, from Old English *foreþōht* ("forethought"), equivalent to the prefix *fore-* ("before") + *thought*. Unlike "impulse," which seizes a sudden, unplanned urge, or "improvisation," which creates spontaneously without preparation, forethought is the deliberate architecture of consequence. It is the winter wood stacked in September, the will signed in health, the spare key hidden where only memory retrieves it—a patient, almost tender negotiation with time itself, acknowledging that the present is merely the future's past in disguise.
Etymology
From Middle English forethouht, forethoght, from Old English *foreþōht (“forethought”); equivalent to fore- + thought. See also forethink.
adj
- Thought of, or planned, beforehand.e.g.“c. 1613–1621, Francis Bacon, The judicial charge upon the commission of Oyer and Terminer held for the verge of the Court
Forethought malice.”
noun
- Thinking beforehand or in advance, planning; prior or previous consideration.e.g.“Near-synonym: foresight”
- Anticipation.
- Provident care; prudence.
Words closest in meaning
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