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English dictionary

toward Meaning & Definition

/təˈwɔːd/

What Does Toward Mean?

As a preposition, toward means In the direction of. It is also used to mean In relation to (someone or something). As an adjective, it means Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward. As an adjective, it means Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand.

Toward: Key Facts

Part of speechpreposition, adjective
Pronunciation/təˈwɔːd/
Synonymscoming, imminent and in the offing
Antonymsaway, from and froward

Toward Definition (Preposition)

  1. In the direction of.

    She moved toward the door.

  2. In relation to (someone or something).

    What are your feelings toward him?

  3. For the purpose of attaining (an aim).

    I'm saving money toward retirement.

  4. Located close to; near (a time or place).

    Our place is over toward the station.

Toward as an Adjective

  1. Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward.
  2. Approaching, coming near; impending.
  3. Happening; going on.
  4. Promising, likely.
  5. Future; to-come.

Adjective

  1. Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand.

Synonyms of Toward

comingimminentin the offingproximate
Toward synonyms and antonyms →

Antonyms of Toward

awayfromfrowardfromwarduntoward

Toward in a Sentence

She moved toward the door.

What are your feelings toward him?

I'm saving money toward retirement.

Our place is over toward the station.

Word Forms & Grammar

toward

toward (not comparable)

Words That Rhyme With Toward

accordlordoverlordabhorreduntowardhorderewardsoaredimploredchordawardwarlordfordgaylordunderscoredboardlandlordaffordcordboredheadboardadoredstrike a chordgourdsmorgasbordbroadswordroaredswordoverboardclavichord

Origin of Toward

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”).

Questions People Ask About Toward

Is toward a preposition or an adjective?

Toward is mainly used as a preposition, but it can also be used as an adjective.

What is another word for toward?

Words with a similar meaning to toward include coming, imminent and in the offing. See the full list of toward synonyms and antonyms.

What is the opposite of toward?

Antonyms of toward include away, from, froward and fromward.

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