Word Explorer

Forerunner

A runner at the front or ahead.

📖 Definitions of "Forerunner"

noun

1
A runner at the front or ahead.
2
By extension, a non-competitor who leads out the competitors on to the circuit, or who runs/rides the course prior to competitor trials, usually testing or checking the way.
3
A precursor or harbinger, a warning ahead.
4
A forebear, an ancestor, a predecessor.
"Bakelite is a forerunner of today's plastics."

🔄 Synonyms of "Forerunner"

4 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
harbingernoun	A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.
antecedentnoun	Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
precursornoun	That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events.
heraldnoun	A messenger, especially one bringing important news.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Forerunner"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
heraldnoun	A messenger, especially one bringing important news.
antecedentnoun	Any thing that precedes another thing, especially the cause of the second thing.
precursornoun	That which precurses: a forerunner, predecessor, or indicator of approaching events.
harbingernoun	A person or thing that foreshadows or foretells the coming of someone or something.
frontrunnernoun	Alternative form of front runner. [(idiomatic) Any of the most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.]
trailblazernoun	(figuratively) An innovative leader in a field; a pioneer.
front-runnernoun	Alternative form of front runner. [(idiomatic) Any of the most likely winners in a contest, election, etc.]
vanguardnoun	(by extension) The person(s) at the forefront of any group or movement.
pioneernoun	A person or other entity who is first or among the earliest in any field of inquiry, enterprise, or progress.
forefrontnoun	The leading position or edge.
advancenoun	A forward move; improvement or progression.
old-timernoun	One who has been around for a long time or has a great deal of experience.
leadernoun	Any person who leads or directs.
pilotnoun	A person who steers a ship, a helmsman.
predecessornoun	One who precedes; one who has preceded another in any state, position, office, etc.; one whom another follows or comes after, in any office or position.
preludenoun	An introductory or preliminary performance or event.
ancestrynoun	A series of ancestors; the people from whom one is descended.
progenitornoun	A forefather, any of a person's direct ancestors.
ancestornoun	One from whom a person is descended, whether on the father's or mother's side, at any distance of time; a progenitor; a forefather; a forebear.
pathfindernoun	One who discovers a way or path; one who explores untraversed regions.