toward

1 of 2

preposition

to·​ward ˈtō-ərd  ˈtȯ(-ə)rd 

variants or towards

ˈtō-ərd(z)  ˈtȯ(-ə)rd(z)  tə-ˈwȯrd(z)  ˈtwȯrd(z) 

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

Usage of Toward and Towards

Toward and towards are two forms of the same word. They have been used interchangeably since their inception in the 9th century. Today, toward is more common in the U.S. and Canada, while towards tends to be preferred elsewhere.

toward

2 of 2

adjective

to·​ward ˈtō-ərd  ˈtȯ(-ə)rd 

1

or less commonly towards

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

Synonyms of toward

Preposition

• regarding
• on
• concerning
• about
• of

Examples of toward in a Sentence

Preposition

The bus is heading toward town.

She took a step toward the door.

They live out towards the edge of town.

We're thinking of taking a vacation towards the end of the month.

Efforts toward peace have been largely unsuccessful.

Recent Examples on the Web

Preposition

Many English, Welsh and Scottish people and most Irish people remained Catholic and thus opposed to the official religion, but the state churches were marching steadily away from them and toward fundamentalist revolution. — Literary Hub, 28 Sep. 2026

As the duo row through pitch-black darkness toward the flame, John experiences harrowing visions of his father and of his younger self, revealed to be an effect of the fear toxin lingering in the air. — Siddhant Adlakha, Vulture, 28 Sep. 2026

Adjective

As the pressure has mounted, Paul and Ally have moved toward and away from each other. — Peter Libbey, New York Times, 27 Apr. 2020

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

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

First Known Use

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing toward

• count toward/towards
• go a long way toward/towards
• go toward(s)
• have an eye to/toward
• point toward
• with an eye toward

Rhymes for toward

• abhorred
• aboard
• accord
• adored
• afford
• award
• baseboard
• billboard
• blackboard
• boxboard
• breadboard
• broadsword

Kids Definition

toward

preposition

to·​ward

variants or towards

(ˈ)tō(-ə)rd(z), 

(ˈ)tȯ(-ə)rd(z), 

tə-ˈwȯrd(z), 

(ˈ)twȯrd(z), 

(ˈ)twōrd(z)

1

: in the direction of

heading toward town

2

a

: along a course leading to

efforts toward peace

b

: in regard to

attitude toward life

3

: so as to face

turn the chair toward the window

4

: not long before : near

toward noon

5

: as part of the payment for

$100 toward a new sofa