FORETHOUGHT

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does forethought mean? 

• FORETHOUGHT (noun)
  The noun FORETHOUGHT has 2 senses:

1. planning or plotting in advance of acting

2. judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

  Familiarity information: FORETHOUGHT used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• FORETHOUGHT (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Planning or plotting in advance of acting

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

forethought; premeditation

Hypernyms ("forethought" is a kind of...):

planning; preparation; provision (the cognitive process of thinking about what you will do in the event of something happening)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Judiciousness in avoiding harm or danger

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

care; caution; forethought; precaution

Context example:

he handled the vase with care

Hypernyms ("forethought" is a kind of...):

judiciousness (good judgment)

 Context examples 

When we came into Lucy's room I could see that Van Helsing had, with his usual forethought, been putting matters straight and making everything look as pleasing as possible.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

Initiation of actions without forethought as to the cost, results or consequences.

(Impulsive Behavior, NCI Thesaurus)

For armor, swords, and lances, there was no need to take much forethought, for they were to be had both better and cheaper in Bordeaux than in England.

(The White Company, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

Very particularly would I thank Senhor Penalosa and other officials of the Brazilian Government for the special arrangements by which we were helped upon our way, and Senhor Pereira of Para, to whose forethought we owe the complete outfit for a decent appearance in the civilized world which we found ready for us at that town.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It was a remarkable instance of want of forethought on the part of the ironmonger who had made Mrs. Crupp's kitchen fireplace, that it was capable of cooking nothing but chops and mashed potatoes.

(David Copperfield, by Charles Dickens)

After some delay, the object of her desire was procured, likewise a bottle of dressing to prevent further loss of time at home, and off she drove again, well pleased with her own forethought.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Laurie resigned her to the 'nice little boy', and went to do his duty to Flo, without securing Amy for the joys to come, which reprehensible want of forethought was properly punished, for she immediately engaged herself till supper, meaning to relent if he then gave any signs penitence.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)

Good! he said, and then went on to ask about the means of making consignments and the forms to be gone through, and of all sorts of difficulties which might arise, but by forethought could be guarded against.

(Dracula, by Bram Stoker)

People who hire all these things done for them never know what they lose, for the homeliest tasks get beautified if loving hands do them, and Meg found so many proofs of this that everything in her small nest, from the kitchen roller to the silver vase on her parlor table, was eloquent of home love and tender forethought.

(Little Women, by Louisa May Alcott)