noun
front
An outward appearance concealing what lies behind it.
She puts on a cheerful front to hide her disappointment.
Etymology
Front derives from a word for the forehead or outward face. A deceptive front is the visible face presented to others while the underlying reality stays concealed.
More examples
- Despite his brave front, he worries about the surgery.
- The repair shop is a front for an illegal gambling operation.
- The fake charities served as fronts for a larger scam.
Forms
front · fronts