Forthwith is a word that means 'immediately or without delay'. It is spelled as 'forth' with a silent 'w' followed by 'with'. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /fɔːθˈwɪθ/. The 'f' sound in forth is followed by the 'o' sound pronounced as 'aw'. The 'th' sound in 'with' is pronounced as /θ/. The 'w' sound in forthwith is silent, but it helps to distinguish it from 'forthrice', which is spelled similarly but pronounced differently with three syllables.
Forthwith is an adverb that means immediately, without delay, or promptly. It is derived from the Old English word "forþwið", which combines "forþ" meaning forward, and "wið" meaning with or against.
When used in a sentence, forthwith conveys a sense of urgency, demanding an immediate action or response. It suggests a need for something to be done promptly, without any hesitation or delay. For example, "The manager instructed the employee to complete the task forthwith" implies that the manager expects the task to be finished immediately and expects no further delays.
Unlike other similar words like "soon" or "shortly," forthwith emphasizes the necessity of immediate action. It implies a sense of urgency and emphasizes the importance of delivering quick results. For instance, "Submit the report forthwith to meet the deadline" emphasizes the need to urgently provide the report in order to avoid missing the time limit.
Forthwith is commonly used in formal or legal contexts, where precise and immediate actions are heavily emphasized. It signifies that immediate compliance or execution of orders is required and cannot be postponed or extended.
In summary, forthwith is an adverb that emphasizes promptness and conveys a sense of urgency, demanding immediate action or response without any delay.
• Immediately; directly.
• Immediately; without delay.
• Without delay; immediately.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word forthwith originated from Old English, where it was written as forthwið. It is a combination of two elements: forth (meaning forward or onward) and wið (meaning with or against). In Old English, forthwið meant immediately or at once. Over time, forthwith became the common form of the word in modern English, maintaining its original meaning of immediately or without delay.