onward

1 of 2

adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants or less commonly onwards

ˈȯn-wərdz 

ˈän-

: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

onward

2 of 2

adjective

: directed or moving onward : forward

Synonyms of onward

Adverb

• forward

Examples of onward in a Sentence

Adverb

They have lived in that house from 1983 onward.

we must continue to move onward, or we will die in this desert

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

Technically, that wasn’t the very last image — the wormhole sucked up the whole theater, spit out a snow globe, and Benny, Colbert’s pet dog, sniffed the souvenir before being ushered onward by his owner — but when the lights went out on Broadway, that was that. —Ben Travers, IndieWire, 22 May 2026

But the drama here feels too diagrammatic, foretelling a tragic fate from the first scene onward as everyone parties down like their lives depend on it. —Leslie Felperin, HollywoodReporter, 22 May 2026

Adjective

Levi’s went on a prolific streak of collaborations by releasing three collections with Nike and Jordan Brand from last July through January, and during that time and onward denim has been popping up on loads more in-line releases under the Nike umbrella. —Ian Servantes, Footwear News, 20 May 2026

Our understanding right now is that the morale has improved because the ship is moving and plans are being made to get them safely to shore and for their onward journey home. —Nathan Diller, USA Today, 7 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing onward

• onward and upward

Kids Definition

onward

1 of 2 adverb

on·​ward ˈȯn-wərd 

ˈän-

variants also onwards

-wərdz 

: toward or at a point lying ahead in space or time : forward

kept moving onward

onward

2 of 2 adjective

: directed or moving onward

the onward march of time