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forenoon

forenoon

1 5.9
A time in the morning before noon
  • noun
  • /fɔrˈnun/
  • Archaic
translation icon : mañana
  • She usually spends her forenoon reading in the garden while enjoying the fresh air.
  • spend the forenoon

Examples

  • This forenoon, we came in on our bus and it stayed with us.

    Blog text (30)
  • In the forenoon, we also stopped at Mary's apartment and at Mrs. Bergstrom's apartment.

    Blog text (30)
  • On Monday forenoon, they made a welcome stop here.

    Academic text (2016)
  • I had a quiet forenoon to get the last details done.

    Blog text (30)
  • First thing in the forenoon, I'll take you back to the station myself.

  • I couldn't think of anybody but you all the forenoon.

  • Remind me to have James take it to the jewelers in the forenoon.

  • Many of the town's fishermen believe that clouds breaking up in the first light of morning indicate that a full day's catch of fish will be taken in the forenoon.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • During the forenoon, I like to go for a long walk before it gets too hot.

  • In the forenoon, the sun shines brightly, making it perfect for outdoor activities.

Synonyms

morning
vsforenoon
1.0

The first part of the day from first light until noon

is a more formal term for the same time between dawn and noon
morn
vsforenoon
  • Archaic
22 9.2

The early part of the day after dawn and before noon

is the neutral everyday name for that time rather than poetic usage
mornin'
vsforenoon
  • Informal
8 8.3

The early part of the day after the sun rises said informally

is the standard and more formal term for that part of the day

Antonyms

1.0

The time between noon and evening

How Early

dawn
386 1.0
forenoon
  • Archaic
1 5.9

Surface Forms

forenoon singular
forenoons plural

Morphology

forenoon = noon (transparent) = fore + noon

The prefix 'fore-' meaning 'before' combined with 'noon' gives the literal meaning 'before noon', which is directly derivable.

Etymology

The word forenoon comes from the parts fore- meaning 'before' and noon meaning 'midday'. So forenoon is simply the time 'before noon', the morning hours.