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untoward

 - 3 dictionary results

un⋅to⋅ward

  [uhn-tawrd, -tohrd]
Use untoward in a Sentence
–adjective
1. unfavorable or unfortunate: Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy.
2. improper: untoward social behavior.
3. Archaic. froward; perverse.
Origin:
1520–30; un- 1 + toward

Related forms:
un⋅to⋅ward⋅ly, adverb
un⋅to⋅ward⋅ness, noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To untoward
un·to·ward   (ŭn-tôrd', -tōrd')   
adj.  

  1. Not favorable; unpropitious.

  2. Troublesome; adverse: an untoward incident.

  3. Hard to guide or control; unruly.

  4. Improper; unseemly.

  5. Archaic Awkward.

un·to·ward'ly adv., un·to·ward'ness n.
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

untoward 
1526, "not having inclination" (to or for something), also "difficult to manage, unruly," from un- (1) "not" + toward.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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