towards

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English towardes, from Old English tōweardes, tōwærdes, equivalent to toward +‎ -s (adverbial suffix). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /təˈwɔːdz/, [tʰə̥ˈwɔːdz] (traditional) IPA(key): /ˈtɔːdz/ (General American) IPA(key): /tʊˈwɔɹdz/, /ˈtɔɹdz/, /ˈtoʊɚdz/, [tʰə̥ˈwɔɹ̠d̠z], [tʰw̥ɔɹ̠d̠z] (New Zealand) IPA(key): /tɘˈwoːdz/, [tʰɘ̥ˈwoːdz], [tʰw̥oːdz] (South Asia) IPA(key): /ˈʈʊwə(r)ɖs/ Rhymes: -ɔː(ɹ)dz, -oːdz Hyphenation: to‧wards === Preposition === towards Alternative form of toward. Synonym: toward Antonyms: fromward, fromwards ==== 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. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== ==== See also ==== See Adverbial genitive === Adverb === towards (not comparable) In the direction of something (indicated by context). === Adjective === towards (not comparable) Near; at hand; in state of preparation; toward. ==== Derived terms ==== == Middle English == === Preposition === towards alternative form of towardes