: being on the near or adjacent side
Synonyms
Examples of hither in a Sentence
Adjective
we began to explore the hither bank while our companions crossed the creek to explore the yonder bank
Recent Examples on the Web
Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2023
But perhaps this is what power dressing looks like in 2023: both the purring come hither and the fang-toothed bite.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2023
For the most part, the journalists who have shared these excerpts hither and yon have endorsed Boehner’s revised self-portrait as a beleaguered hero to stately norms.
—Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2021
Conjunctivitis is spread through particularly artful and gross means - the contamination of objects with eye gunk, smeared inadvertently hither and thither as a person wrestles with the itchy, gritty misery that defines what is commonly known as pinkeye.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2013
When approaching the speaker, the interface gently lights up using light-trough aluminum technology and positively invites the user to come hither and interact with it.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022
That enormous increase of money beginning to flow hither and yon, once started, will be unstoppable without drastic actions being taken.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
But as director Christopher Ashley sends the columns gliding hither and thither to create various interiors and exteriors, the structures often … wobble.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2021
Delays occur there as well, due to shortages of shipping containers — and of dockworkers to unload the cargo, and truck drivers to bring the books hither and yon.
—Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2021
New York Times, 19 Sep. 2022
Wearing a bold floral print dress, Clarkson flawlessly captured the track’s come hither arrangement and Morris’ ready-for-amour vibe.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 June 2022
The iteration Bradshaw wore to the date was designed by Karan, but in the photoshoot scene—according to Haroutounian and Jimenez—Bradshaw is wearing Jimenez’s dress with a laptop propped on her lap, staring at the camera with those come-hither eyes.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2021
Same with Sitake, a man seemingly mystified, searching high and low, wide and far, hither and thither, hunting, scratching, grasping for the right conclusion.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Aug. 2021
And she was captured adoringly by Cecil Beaton’s camera in come-hither beauty.
—Callahan Tormey, Town & Country, 28 Nov. 2020
In his motions, Henry contends that Eckhart pursued him by sending him come-hither text messages.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2020
And the effect works to signal danger warnings to would-be predators and come-hither messages to potential mates.
—Courtney Sexton, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2020
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Adverb
Her face fixed in a dissociative come hither, here is someone who has spent the past 12 months connecting her 398 million followers to fashion’s uppermost echelons.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 2 Nov. 2023
But perhaps this is what power dressing looks like in 2023: both the purring come hither and the fang-toothed bite.
—Daniel Rodgers, Vogue, 8 Sep. 2023
For the most part, the journalists who have shared these excerpts hither and yon have endorsed Boehner’s revised self-portrait as a beleaguered hero to stately norms.
—Natalie Shure, The New Republic, 12 Apr. 2021
Conjunctivitis is spread through particularly artful and gross means - the contamination of objects with eye gunk, smeared inadvertently hither and thither as a person wrestles with the itchy, gritty misery that defines what is commonly known as pinkeye.
—Rebecca Kreston, Discover Magazine, 28 July 2013
When approaching the speaker, the interface gently lights up using light-trough aluminum technology and positively invites the user to come hither and interact with it.
—Mark Sparrow, Forbes, 25 Jan. 2022
That enormous increase of money beginning to flow hither and yon, once started, will be unstoppable without drastic actions being taken.
—John S. Tobey, Forbes, 26 Dec. 2021
But as director Christopher Ashley sends the columns gliding hither and thither to create various interiors and exteriors, the structures often … wobble.
—Helen Shaw, Vulture, 17 Nov. 2021
Delays occur there as well, due to shortages of shipping containers — and of dockworkers to unload the cargo, and truck drivers to bring the books hither and yon.
—Jim Higgins, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 8 Oct. 2021
Adjective
There is an effervescence to the room — playful neon signage, come-hither shelves of natural wines, brightly hued tableware — that spills out to the streetside patio dining area.
—New York Times, 19 Sep. 2022
Wearing a bold floral print dress, Clarkson flawlessly captured the track’s come hither arrangement and Morris’ ready-for-amour vibe.
—Gil Kaufman, Billboard, 21 June 2022
The iteration Bradshaw wore to the date was designed by Karan, but in the photoshoot scene—according to Haroutounian and Jimenez—Bradshaw is wearing Jimenez’s dress with a laptop propped on her lap, staring at the camera with those come-hither eyes.
—Liana Satenstein, Vogue, 23 Sep. 2021
Same with Sitake, a man seemingly mystified, searching high and low, wide and far, hither and thither, hunting, scratching, grasping for the right conclusion.
—Gordon Monson, The Salt Lake Tribune, 19 Aug. 2021
And she was captured adoringly by Cecil Beaton’s camera in come-hither beauty.
—Callahan Tormey, Town & Country, 28 Nov. 2020
In his motions, Henry contends that Eckhart pursued him by sending him come-hither text messages.
—Maria Puente, USA TODAY, 20 Oct. 2020
And the effect works to signal danger warnings to would-be predators and come-hither messages to potential mates.
—Courtney Sexton, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 July 2020
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These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'hither.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
Etymology
Adverb
Middle English hider, hither, from Old English hider; akin to Goth hidre hither, Latin citra on this side — more at he
First Known Use
Adverb
before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above
Adjective
14th century, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of hither was
before the 12th century
Phrases Containing hither
Dictionary Entries Near hither
Cite this Entry
“Hither.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hither. Accessed 30 Nov. 2023.
Copy Citation
Kids Definition
hither
1 of 2 adverb
hith·er
ˈhit͟h-ər 
: to this place
come hither
hither
2 of 2 adjective
: near entry 3 sense 3, nearer
the hither side of the hill
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