upfront

/ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌpfrˌʌnt] /ˌʌpˈfrʌnt/ (ame, ipa) · [ˈʌpfrˌʌnt] /ˌəp-ˈfrənt How to pronounce up-front (audio) ˈəp-ˌfrənt/ (ame, mw) · /ʌpˈfrʌnt/ (bre, ipa) · [ˈʌpfrˌʌnt] /ʌpˈfrʌnt/ (ame, ipa)

upfront — adjective

  • upfrontpositive
  • more upfrontcomparative
  • most upfrontsuperlative

1. open and clear about your intentions, opinions, or feelings; not keeping your re

1.形容詞B2
釋義

open and clear about your intentions, opinions, or feelings; not keeping your real views hidden even when speaking honestly is difficult

例句

Kwame was upfront with his manager about needing two weeks off for family reasons.

upfront with [someone] about [something]

Tara appreciated how upfront the used-car seller was about the engine problems.

同義詞
  • direct

    focuses on saying exactly what is meant without circling around the topic

  • frank

    suggests speaking honestly without hesitation, especially about something potentially awkward

  • candid

    implies truthfulness even when the information may be unwelcome or hard to hear

反義詞
  • evasive

    avoids giving a clear or direct answer

  • secretive

    tends to hide intentions, feelings, or information from others

文法句型

be upfront with [someone] about [something]

用法筆記

Often followed by 'with' (the person) and 'about' (the topic): 'be upfront with someone about something'. Most common after a linking verb ('be upfront'), but attributive use before a noun is also possible (e.g. 'an upfront conversation').

常見錯誤

❌He was upfront about his feelings with the situation.
✅He was upfront with me about his feelings.
💡Use 'with [person] about [topic]', not 'about' for both.
❌She upfront told him the truth.
✅She was upfront when she told him the truth.
💡As an adjective, 'upfront' needs a linking verb like 'be'; it cannot directly modify a verb.

2. describing money that must be given at the beginning of an agreement, before any

2.形容詞B1
釋義

describing money that must be given at the beginning of an agreement, before any goods are delivered, work is done, or service is provided

例句

The contractor asked for an upfront payment of thirty percent before starting the kitchen renovation.

upfront payment / upfront fee / upfront cost

The dance studio charges an upfront fee for the first month of lessons and registration.

同義詞
  • advance

    used in similar contexts (advance payment) but slightly more formal

  • prepaid

    suggests the full amount has been paid before use, often for services like phone plans

  • initial

    focuses on the first payment in a series, not necessarily paid before the service starts

反義詞
  • deferred

    describes payment that is delayed until a later date

文法句型

upfront payment/fee/cost/deposit

用法筆記

Always placed before a noun ('upfront payment', 'upfront fee'). Not used after a linking verb to describe a payment — you would not say 'the payment is upfront' to mean 'paid in advance'.

常見錯誤

❌The fee is upfront and non-refundable.
✅There is an upfront, non-refundable fee.
💡When 'upfront' means 'paid in advance', use it attributively before the noun rather than predicatively after the verb.

upfront — adverb