Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Towards

{

To′ward

,

To′wards

}
,
p
rep.
[AS. [GREEK] impending, imminent, future, toward, [GREEK] towards. See
To
, and -
ward
,
wards
.]
1.
In the direction of; to.
He set his face
toward
the wilderness.
Num. xxiv. 1.
The waves make
towards
the pebbled shore.
Shakespeare
2.
With direction to, in a moral sense; with respect or reference to; regarding; concerning.
His eye shall be evil
toward
his brother.
Deut. xxviii. 54.
Herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void of offense
toward
God, and
toward
men.
Acts xxiv. 16.
3.
Tending to; in the direction of; in behalf of.
This was the first alarm England received
towards
any trouble.
Clarendom.
4.
Near; about; approaching to.
I am
toward
nine years older since I left you.
Swift.
{

To′ward

,

To′wards

}
adv.
Near; at hand; in state of preparation.
Do you hear sught, sir, of a battle
toward
?
Shakespeare
We have a trifling foolish banquet
Towards
.
Shakespeare

To′wards

,
p
rep.
&
adv.
See
Toward
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Towards

TO'WARDS

, prep. [L. versus, verto.]
1.
In the direction to.
He set his face toward the wilderness. Num. 24.
2.
With direction to, in a moral sense; with respect to; regarding.
His eye shall be evil toward his brother. Deut.28.
Herein do I exercise myself to have always a conscience void of offense toward God and toward men. Acts. 24.
Hearing of thy love and faith which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus Christ, and toward all saints. Philemon 5.
3.
With ideal tendency to.
This was the first alarm England received towards any trouble.
4.
Nearly.
I am towards nine years older since I left you.

Definition 2024


towards

towards

English

Preposition

towards

  1. (British) alternative form of toward

Synonyms

Antonyms

Usage notes

See also

Translations

Adverb

towards (not comparable)

  1. In the direction of something (indicated by context).
    • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Queene, II.iv:
      Thus as he spake, lo far away they spyde / A varlet running towards hastily [...].

Adjective

towards (not comparable)

  1. Near; at hand; in state of preparation; toward.
    • Shakespeare
      We have a trifling foolish banquet / Towards.

Statistics

Most common English words before 1923: really · replied · making · #375: towards · friends · forth · fire