Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

forerunner

/ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.99 in modern English

Syllables
fore-run-ner
IPA
/ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/
13
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
3
Syllables
6
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A runner at the front or ahead.

noun

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.

noun

A forebear, an ancestor, a predecessor.

noun

A postage stamp used in the time before a region or area issues stamps of its own.

Example Sentences

Etymology

From Middle English forrenner, foreriner. Calque of Latin praecursor (“one who runs before, a forerunner”). Equivalent to fore- + runner and/or forerun + -er.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/

Inflected Forms

Derived Forms

Synonyms

Questions

How do you pronounce forerunner?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/.
What does forerunner mean?
A runner at the front or ahead.
Where does forerunner come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce forerunner

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “forerunner”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈfɔɹˌɹʌnɚ/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “forerunner”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “forerunner” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.