toward

English Online Dictionary. What means toward‎? What does toward mean?

English

Etymology

From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to +‎ -ward. Cognate with Middle Low German tôwart, Middle Dutch toewaert (Modern Dutch toewaarts), Middle High German zuowart, zūwart (Modern German zuwärts). Compare also Middle English tilward, tillward (“toward”).

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /təˈwɔːd/
• (General American) IPA^(key): /tɔɹd/, /ˈtwɔɹd/, /təˈwɔɹd/
• (rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /to(ː)ɹd/, /ˈtwo(ː)ɹd/, /təˈwɔɹd/
• (non-rhotic, without the horse–hoarse merger) IPA^(key): /toəd/, /ˈtwoəd/, /təˈwɔd/
• (New Zealand) IPA^(key): /tɘˈwoːd/
• Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)d
• Hyphenation: to‧ward

Preposition

toward (now chiefly US)

1. In the direction of.
2. In relation to (someone or something).
3. For the purpose of attaining (an aim).

4. Located close to; near (a time or place).

Usage notes

• Although some have tried to discern a semantic distinction between the words toward and towards, the only difference in practice is dialectal. Toward is more common in American English and towards is more common in British English, though each form may be found in both varieties.

Alternative forms

• towards (UK)

Antonyms

• away from, froward, fromward

Derived terms

Translations

Adjective

toward (not comparable)

1. Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward.
2. (dated) Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand.
3. (obsolete or archaic) Promising, likely.
4. (obsolete) Future; to-come.

Synonyms

• (future): coming; see also Thesaurus:future
• (approaching): imminent, in the offing, proximate; see also Thesaurus:impending

Antonyms

• untoward

Derived terms

Further reading

• “toward”, in Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present.
• “toward”, in Dictionary.com Unabridged, Dictionary.com, LLC, 1995–present.

Anagrams

• to-draw, todraw

Middle English

Alternative forms

• towarde, towar, towart, touard, touarde, touwar, touward, touwarde, towerd, towert, taward, tawarde, tawart, twoward, tort, toweard, towearde, towerd, towarð, towweard, touwward

Etymology

From Old English tōweard, tōwærd; equivalent to to +‎ -ward.

Preposition

toward

1. In the direction of; toward.
2. Into the presence of.
3. In proximity to; near, by.
4. In an exchange or communication with; to.
   • c. 1190 - 1215, Layamon, Laȝamon's Brut

5. Having a wont or tendency towards.
6. Similar to.
7. Subject to; under the control of.
8. Useful for; prepared for.

Derived terms

• as toward

Descendants

• English: toward

Adjective

toward

1. Future, forthcoming; to come.
2. Near at hand; imminent, nigh.
3. Moving forth.
4. of goodwill, benevolent; well-tempered, gentle.

Related terms

• towardnesse

Descendants

• English: toward

Adverb

toward

1. In a given direction, typically toward something specific.
2. Nearly, almost.

Derived terms

• toward and froward
• as toward

Related terms

• towardes

References

• “toward, prep.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 15 April 2018.
• “toward, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 15 April 2018.
• “toward, adv.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007, retrieved 15 April 2018.