Toward
adj, name, prep ·Common ·High school level
Definitions
- 1 Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward. US, not-comparable
- 2 Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand. US, dated, not-comparable
"Do you heare ought (Sir) of a Battell toward."
- 3 Promising, likely. US, archaic, not-comparable, obsolete
"Clif[ford] Why that is ſpoken like a toward Prince."
- 4 Future; to-come. US, not-comparable, obsolete
"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 / […]"
- 1 In the direction of. US
"She moved toward the door."
- 2 In relation to (someone or something). US
"What are your feelings toward him?"
- 3 For the purpose of attaining (an aim). US
"I'm saving money toward retirement."
- 4 Located close to; near (a time or place). US
"Our place is over toward the station."
- 1 A coastal village south of Dunoon, Argyll and Bute council area, Scotland (OS grid ref NS1367).
- 2 A surname, apparently taken from the place name.
Example
More examples"This advice of yours will go a long way toward solving the problem."
Etymology
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”).