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toward

 - 4 dictionary results

to⋅ward

  [prep. tawrd, tohrd, tuh-wawrd, twawrd, twohrd; adj. tawrd, tohrd]
Use toward in a Sentence
–preposition Also, to⋅wards.
1. in the direction of: to walk toward the river.
2. with a view to obtaining or having; for: They're saving money toward a new house.
3. in the area or vicinity of; near: Our cabin is toward the top of the hill.
4. turned to; facing: Her back was toward me.
5. shortly before; close to: toward midnight.
6. as a help or contribution to: to give money toward a person's expenses.
7. with respect to; as regards: his attitude toward women.
–adjective
8. about to come soon; imminent.
9. going on; in progress; afoot: There is work toward.
10. propitious; favorable.
11. Obsolete.
a. promising or apt, as a student.
b. compliant; docile.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME; OE tōweard. See to, -ward

Related forms:
to⋅ward⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To toward
to·ward   (tôrd, tōrd, tə-wôrd')   
prep.   also to·wards (tôrdz, tōrdz, tə-wôrdz')

  1. In the direction of: driving toward home.

  2. In a position facing: had his back toward me.

  3. Somewhat before in time: It began to rain toward morning.

  4. With regard to; in relation to: an optimistic attitude toward the future.

  5. In furtherance or partial fulfillment of: contributed five dollars toward the bill.

  6. By way of achieving; with a view to: efforts toward peace.

adj.   (tôrd, tōrd)

  1. Favoring success or a good outcome; propitious.

  2. often towards Happening soon; imminent.

  3. Obsolete Being quick to understand or learn.


[Middle English, from Old English tōweard : tō, to; see to + -weard, -ward.]
Usage Note: Some critics have tried to discern a semantic distinction between toward and towards, but the difference is entirely dialectal. Toward is more common in American English; towards is the predominant form in British English.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

toward 
O.E. toweard "in the direction of," prepositional use of toweard (adj.) "coming, approaching," from to (see to) + -weard, from P.Gmc. *-warth, from PIE *wert "turn" (see -ward). Towards with adverbial genitive ending, was in O.E. as toweards.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Idioms & Phrases

toward

see go a long way toward.

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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