forefend: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very RareHighly Formal, Archaic, Literary
Quick answer
What does “forefend” mean?
To avert or prevent something undesirable, especially by prior action.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To avert or prevent something undesirable, especially by prior action.
To protect or guard against; to keep away or ward off. Often used as a more formal or archaic synonym for 'prevent' or 'avert'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Virtually no contemporary difference; the word is equally archaic and rarely used in both varieties.
Connotations
Carries a distinctly old-fashioned, sometimes biblical or Shakespearean connotation. May be used deliberately for humorous or emphatic effect in fixed phrases.
Frequency
Extremely low frequency in both dialects. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British historical or literary texts, but this is marginal.
Grammar
How to Use “forefend” in a Sentence
[do/help/heaven] forefend + (that-clause)to forefend + NP (e.g., disaster, danger)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forefend” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We must take measures to forefend a recurrence of the crisis.
- "Heaven forefend!" he exclaimed upon hearing the outrageous suggestion.
American English
- The treaty was designed to forefend future conflict in the region.
- "God forefend such a tragedy," the preacher intoned.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial form in use.
American English
- No common adverbial form in use.
adjective
British English
- No common adjectival form in use.
American English
- No common adjectival form in use.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Only in historical or literary analysis when quoting older texts.
Everyday
Not used; would sound bizarrely archaic.
Technical
Not used in any technical register.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forefend”
- Using it in active, modern sentences (e.g., 'I will forefend the problem').
- Confusing it with 'forfend' (an equally rare variant).
- Misspelling as 'forefront.'
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, 'forfend' is a recognized variant of 'forefend.' Both are archaic and used interchangeably, though 'forefend' is slightly more common in historical citations.
No, it would sound extremely strange and old-fashioned. Use 'prevent,' 'stop,' or 'avert' instead.
The fixed exclamatory phrase "Heaven forefend!" or "God forefend!" is by far the most common surviving usage.
Yes, etymologically. Both come from Latin 'defendere' (to ward off). 'Forefend' implies warding off *beforehand* ('fore-' meaning 'before').
To avert or prevent something undesirable, especially by prior action.
Forefend is usually highly formal, archaic, literary in register.
Forefend: in British English it is pronounced /fɔːˈfɛnd/, and in American English it is pronounced /fɔːrˈfɛnd/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Heaven forefend!”
- “God forefend!”
- “Do what you can to forefend it.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: FORE (ahead of time) + FEND (as in 'fend off'). To 'fend off' something BEFORE it happens.
Conceptual Metaphor
DEFENCE AS A SHIELD HELD UP IN ADVANCE. The undesirable event is conceptualized as an attack, and 'forefending' is the proactive raising of a shield.
Practice
Quiz
In which of the following contexts is 'forefend' MOST likely to be found?