toward

== 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) In the direction of. In relation to (someone or something). For the purpose of attaining (an aim). 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) Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward. (dated) Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand. (obsolete or archaic) Promising, likely. (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 In the direction of; toward. Into the presence of. In proximity to; near, by. In an exchange or communication with; to. c. 1190 - 1215, Layamon, Laȝamon's Brut Having a wont or tendency towards. Similar to. Subject to; under the control of. Useful for; prepared for. ==== Derived terms ==== as toward ==== Descendants ==== English: toward === Adjective === toward Future, forthcoming; to come. Near at hand; imminent, nigh. Moving forth. of goodwill, benevolent; well-tempered, gentle. ==== Related terms ==== towardnesse ==== Descendants ==== English: toward === Adverb === toward In a given direction, typically toward something specific. 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.