toward

¹to·ward

adjective \ˈtō-ərd, ˈtȯ(-ə)rd\

Definition of TOWARD

1

also to·wards \ˈtō-ərdz, ˈtȯ(-ə)rdz\ [Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, preposition, toward, from tōweard, adjective]

a : coming soon : imminent

b : happening at the moment : afoot

2

a obsolete : quick to learn : apt

b : propitious, favoring <a toward breeze>

Origin of TOWARD

Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard facing, imminent, from tō, preposition, to + -weard -ward

First Known Use: before 12th century

²to·ward

preposition \ˈtō-ərd(z), ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z), ˈtwōrd(z)\

Definition of TOWARD

1

: in the direction of <driving toward town>

2

a : along a course leading to <a long stride toward disarmament>

b : in relation to <an attitude toward life>

3

a : at a point in the direction of : near <a cottage somewhere up toward the lake>

b : in such a position as to be in the direction of <your back was toward me>

4

: not long before <toward the end of the afternoon>

5

a : in the way of help or assistance in <did all he could toward raising campaign funds>

b : for the partial payment of <proceeds go toward the establishment of a scholarship>

Variants of TOWARD

to·ward or to·wards \ˈtō-ərd(z), ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z), tə-ˈwȯrd(z), ˈtwȯrd(z), ˈtwōrd(z)\

Examples of TOWARD

1. The bus is heading toward town.
2. She took a step toward the door.
3. They live out towards the edge of town.
4. We're thinking of taking a vacation towards the end of the month.
5. Efforts toward peace have been largely unsuccessful.

First Known Use of TOWARD

before 12th century

Related to TOWARD

Synonyms

apropos, apropos of, as far as, as for, as regards (also as respects), as to, concerning, of, on, regarding, respecting, touching, about (or towards)

Related Words

over