front
FRUNT
/frʌnt/
A person or organization that serves as a cover for secret or illegal activities.
A 'front' business looks completely legitimate on the surface (like a pizza shop or a dry cleaner) but exists to launder money or hide criminal meetings.
The story behind the word. The word comes from the Latin 'frons', meaning the forehead or the face. Just as a person's face is what they show to the world, a 'front' is the 'face' a criminal organization shows to the public to hide what is happening behind the scenes.
Word relationships
- cover: A more general term for anything that hides a secret.
- facade: Focuses on the outward appearance of a building or a person's behavior.
Commonly confused with
- shell company: A shell company exists only on paper; a front often has a physical location and real (though minor) business activity.
Collocations
- front company
- business front
- serve as a front
- legitimate front
Idioms & expressions
- put up a front
Example sentences
- "The small art gallery was merely a front for a massive international smuggling operation." Describing a criminal operation.
- "Investigators believe the charity was used as a front to funnel money to extremist groups." A news report on money laundering.
Memory hook
The 'front' of the store is all you see, but the 'back' is where the crime is. A front is the 'face' of a secret business.
When not to use
Do not use for a business that is just a subsidiary; it must be deceptive.
Fun facts
- In the movie 'The Godfather', Genco Pura Olive Oil is the front for the Corleone family's activities.
- The term 'front man' is also used in music for the lead singer.
Related words
Explore more words
meteorology, frontline, tempest, troposphere, facade, forecast
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