forehand: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
B2Neutral to Technical
Quick answer
What does “forehand” mean?
(in racket sports) a stroke played with the palm of the hand facing in the direction of the stroke.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
(in racket sports) a stroke played with the palm of the hand facing in the direction of the stroke.
The side or part of a horse, a thing, or a situation that is in front or most prominent. More generally, an advantageous position or the main area of control or skill.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in core meaning. Minor variations in collocational frequency within sporting commentary.
Connotations
Identical sporting connotations.
Frequency
Equally common in both varieties within sporting contexts. Virtually non-existent in general use.
Grammar
How to Use “forehand” in a Sentence
to hit a forehand (down the line)to play a forehandto have a strong forehandto practice one's forehandVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “forehand” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- He managed to forehand the ball just inside the baseline for a winner.
- She forehanded her return with incredible power.
American English
- He just forehanded that serve return for a clean winner.
- You need to forehand those high balls with more topspin.
adverb
British English
- She hit the ball forehand across the court. (less common)
- He prefers to play it forehand.
American English
- He swung forehand and connected perfectly.
- Always try to take the ball forehand if you can.
adjective
British English
- Her forehand technique is textbook.
- He executed a perfect forehand volley.
American English
- She has the best forehand swing on the tour.
- That was a forehand winner down the line.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Extremely rare. Possibly in metaphorical use: 'The company took a forehand approach to the negotiation.'
Academic
Limited to sports science literature.
Everyday
Almost exclusively in the context of playing or discussing racket sports.
Technical
Core term in tennis, table tennis, badminton, and squash coaching and commentary.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “forehand”
- Using 'forehand' to describe a shot in golf or cricket (incorrect). Confusing 'forehand' and 'forearm'. Using it as a verb outside of very informal sporting talk ('He forehanded it past the defender').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, but it is informal and largely confined to sports commentary or casual speech (e.g., 'He forehanded it into the corner'). It is not standard in formal writing.
A forehand is played with the palm of the hand facing the direction of the stroke (for a right-hander, on the right side). A backhand is played with the back of the hand facing the direction (for a right-hander, on the left side).
Very rarely. Its primary use is in racket sports. An archaic use relates to horses (the front part), and it can be used metaphorically to mean 'advantage' or 'primary method', but this is uncommon.
Because the direct translation ('передняя рука') is not used. The borrowed term 'форхенд' is standard. Also, for a right-handed player, the forehand is hit on the right side, which contradicts the literal sense of 'front' if facing the net.
(in racket sports) a stroke played with the palm of the hand facing in the direction of the stroke.
Forehand is usually neutral to technical in register.
Forehand: in British English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːhand/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈfɔːrhand/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have the forehand of (archaic, to have the advantage over)”
- “forehand and backhand (comprehensively)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of your FOREarm and HAND working together to hit the shot that comes to your FRONT.
Conceptual Metaphor
DOMINANCE IS A STRONG FOREHAND (e.g., 'She dominated with her forehand'). FRONT/PRIMARY IS FOREHAND (opposite of backhand, which is secondary or behind).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these sports is the term 'forehand' LEAST commonly used?