Etimology
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”).
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).
Examples
She moved toward the door.
[A]Nd when Balaam ſawe that it pleaſed the LORD to bleſſe Iſrael, hee went not, as at other times to ſeeke foꝛ inchantments, but hee ſet his face toward the wilderneſſe.
Audio China has claimed that South Korea's dust flies toward Shanghai.
China has claimed that South Korea's dust flies toward Shanghai.
What are your feelings toward him?
So that the man that is tender among you, and very delicate, his eye ſhalbe euill toward his bꝛother, and toward the wife of his boſome, and towards the remnant of his childꝛen which he ſhall leaue:
I'm saving money toward retirement.
Our place is over toward the station.
I am toward nine years older since I left you, yet that is the least of my alterations; […]
Related words
antonyms
away from, froward, fromward
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.
Examples
Do you heare ought of a Battell toward.
On the morrow, after mass, our Lord Abbot [w:Samson of Tottington] orders the Cellerarius to send off his carpenters to demolish the said structure brevi manu, and lay up the wood in safe keeping. Old Dean Herbert, hearing what was toward, comes tottering along hither, to plead humbly for himself and his mill.
Clif[ford] Why that is ſpoken like a toward Prince.
My Miſtreſs had a Daughter of nine Years old, a Child of toward Parts for her Age, very dextrous at her Needle, and ſkilful in dreſſing her Baby.
But ear that wiſhed day his beame diſcloſd, / He either enuying my toward good, / Or of him ſelfe to treaſon ill diſpoſd / One day vnto me came in friendly mood, / And told for ſecret how he vnderſtood / […]
Related words
synonyms
(future): coming; see also Thesaurus:future
(approaching): imminent, in the offing, proximate; see also Thesaurus:impending
antonyms
untoward