What does froward mean?
Froward is an adjective describing someone who is stubbornly contrary, willful, or difficult to deal with — a person who resists guidance and insists on going their own way. Though it visually resembles 'forward,' the two words are nearly opposites: where 'forward' suggests eagerness and progress, 'froward' implies perversity and resistance. The word derives from Old English elements meaning 'away from' plus the directional suffix '-ward,' so it literally captures the idea of turning away from what is asked or expected. Today froward is largely archaic, surviving mainly in literary, religious, and deliberately old-fashioned writing; the King James Bible famously applies it to the froward heart and the froward tongue. Its synonyms include wayward, perverse, and obstinate, while its natural opposites are compliant and obedient. Knowing froward enriches one's reading of classic texts and offers a precise, colorful alternative to plainer words for willfulness.
adjective(Of a person) difficult to deal with; contrary, obstinate, or habitually disobedient.
- (of a person or their behavior) contrary, obstinate, or difficult to deal with; habitually disobedient.
"The froward child refused every kindness offered to him."
"Despite every entreaty, the froward apprentice would not mend his ways."
"Scripture warns against the froward mouth that speaks only perversity."
It looks like a typo of 'forward,' but 'froward' means the exact opposite — the King James Bible uses it repeatedly to describe the stubborn and perverse.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of froward
Froward comes from Old English, formed from 'frā' or 'fro,' meaning 'away from,' combined with the directional suffix '-ward.' It thus literally denotes turning away or moving in opposition, making it the semantic mirror of 'forward.' The word has cognates in other Germanic languages that use the same 'fro/from' root, such as the English 'fro' preserved in the expression 'to and fro.' It was common in Middle and Early Modern English but gradually fell out of everyday use.
Related word forms
How froward is actually used
Now largely archaic or deliberately literary; encountered chiefly in older texts such as the King James Bible and in elevated prose. Strongly negative in connotation.
Easily confused with froward
'Forward' means ahead or eager, while 'froward' — its historical opposite in form — means contrary or stubbornly disobedient.