Forerunner Meaning in English
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Definition
A forerunner is someone or something that comes before another, often showing what will happen or who will come in the future. It can refer to a person or thing that leads the way or indicates a coming event.
Usage & Nuances
'Forerunner' is formal and often used in historical, scientific, or technical contexts. Common collocations include 'forerunner of modern technology', 'forerunner to...', and 'serve as a forerunner'. It can mean 'precursor' (something that leads to another) or a 'person ahead of their time'. Not used for simple 'previous' items—'predecessor' is more generic.
Example Sentences
The telephone was a forerunner of modern communication devices.
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He was seen as a forerunner in the field of science.
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The early trains were really just forerunners of today’s high-speed rail.
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Many people consider email to be a forerunner of social media.
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That chilly wind is often a forerunner of a storm.
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This machine is the forerunner to many new technologies.
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