front end

Meanings

1. 1nounsingularcomputing

   The part of a website or software that users see and interact with, such as the screens, buttons and layout.

   Grammar: Usually takes the: the front end of the app. Hyphenate before a noun: front-end code.

   Patterns

   • the front end of something
   • work on the front end

   She designs the front end of our shopping app.

   A bug in the front end made the button disappear.

   The front end talks to the server through an API.

2. 2nounsingular

   The first or forward part of something physical, such as a vehicle.

   Grammar: Often with a possessive or the: the front end of the car.

   Patterns

   • the front end of something

   The front end of the truck was badly dented.

   Mechanics checked the front end for alignment problems.

   Water leaked into the front end of the boat.

3. 3nounsingularbusiness

   The early stage of a process or business activity, before goods are made or delivered.

   Grammar: Often used in business: front-end costs.

   Patterns

   • at the front end of something

   The company spends heavily at the front end of each project.

   Most of the planning happens at the front end.

   Front-end fees are charged when the contract is signed.

Word forms

Common combinations

front-end developer

The front-end developer fixed the layout on mobile.

front-end code

The front-end code is written in JavaScript.

build the front end

We built the front end in a month.

front-end costs

Front-end costs are high for new factories.

front end and back end

The team splits work between the front end and back end.

Synonyms and how they differ

interface

Interface is the point of contact between user and program; front end is the broader visible side of the whole system.

user interface

This is the screens and controls themselves, and is a narrower term than front end.

front

Front is a general word for the forward part, and is less technical than front end in computing.

client side

Client side means the code running on the user's device, which overlaps with front end but focuses on where the code runs.

Opposites

Word family

front-end adjective

relating to the visible side of software

back end noun

the hidden server side of software

full-stack adjective

covering both front end and back end

Commonly confused: front end or back end?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “front end”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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