toward - Wiktionary, the free dictionary (original) (raw)

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary

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”).

toward (now chiefly US)

  1. In the direction of.
    She moved toward the door.
    • 1914 November, Louis Joseph Vance, “An Outsider […]”, in Munsey’s Magazine, volume LIII, number II, New York, N.Y.: The Frank A[ndrew] Munsey Company, […], published 1915, →OCLC, chapter III (Accessory After the Fact), page 382, column 1:
      Turning back, then, toward the basement staircase, she began to grope her way through blinding darkness, but had taken only a few uncertain steps when, of a sudden, she stopped short and for a little stood like a stricken thing, quite motionless save that she quaked to her very marrow in the grasp of a great and enervating fear.
  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.

in the direction of

in relation to

for the purpose of

located near

toward (not comparable)

  1. Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward.
  2. (dated) Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand.
  3. (obsolete or archaic) Promising, likely.
  4. (obsolete) Future; to-come.

From Old English tōweard, tōwærd; equivalent to to +‎ -ward.

toward

  1. In the direction of; toward.
  2. Into the presence of.
  3. In proximity to; near, by.
  4. In an exchange or communication with; to.
    • c. 1190 - 1215, Layamon, Laȝamon's Brut
  5. Having a wont or tendency towards.
  6. Similar to.
  7. Subject to; under the control of.
  8. Useful for; prepared for.

toward

  1. Future, forthcoming; to come.
  2. Near at hand; imminent, nigh.
  3. Moving forth.
  4. of goodwill, benevolent; well-tempered, gentle.

toward

  1. In a given direction, typically toward something specific.
  2. Nearly, almost.

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