toward
UK: təˈwɔːd | US: tɔːrd
Definition
prep. in the direction of
prep. in relation to
prep. shortly before (a time)
Structure
to <direction>ward <orientation>
Etymology
The word "toward" originates from Old English tōweard, a combination of tō (meaning "to") and -weard (a suffix indicating direction or orientation, akin to "forward" or "backward"). Over time, the spelling simplified to "toward," retaining its core sense of directional movement or relational alignment. The morpheme -ward is a Germanic relic, widely used in English to form directional adverbs (e.g., "homeward," "upward").
Examples
She walked toward the sunset.
His attitude toward work is very positive.
The project is moving toward completion.
We left toward midnight.
The window faces toward the east.