What does onwards mean?
“Onwards” is an adverb meaning onward, especially with respect to time or continued progress. The familiar expression “from now onwards” means beginning at the present moment and continuing into the future, while “move onwards” indicates that someone or something is progressing toward another place or stage. The word can suggest steady continuation rather than a sudden change: “The story moves onwards from the opening scene” focuses on the narrative’s progression, and “The project carried onwards despite several delays” emphasizes persistence. Although “onwards” is understood in both British and American English, it is particularly frequent in British usage; American speakers more often choose “onward.” It is also related to “onward,” which can be used as either an adverb or an adjective, as in “an onward flight.” The addition of the final -s does not change the meaning, but it gives the adverb a form especially associated with continuing movement, development, or time.
adverbToward or into the future; from now on. It can also indicate movement farther forward in space or toward a later stage.
- From the present time onward; into the future.
- In the direction of something farther ahead or away from the starting point.
- Toward a later stage in a process or narrative.
"From now onwards, the gallery will remain open until dusk."
"The exhibition continues onwards through the winter."
"After the interruption, the musicians carried onwards without missing a beat."
The final -s is a clue: “onwards” is the inflected form of “onward,” especially favored in British English.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does onwards come from?
The word comes from Old English “onweard,” meaning forward or onward, formed from “on” and the directional element “-ward.” The form with final -s appeared in the early 16th century and became especially established in British English. It belongs to a family of English directional words including “forward,” “upward,” and “downward,” all sharing the Germanic element meaning direction or position.
Related word forms
How onwards is actually used
Especially common in British English. In American English, “onward” is generally more frequent in formal writing and may also function as an adjective, as in “an onward journey.”
Easily confused with onwards
Both forms have the same basic meaning, but “onwards” is especially common in British English, while “onward” is more frequent in American English and is also widely used as an adjective.
“Towards” expresses movement or orientation in the direction of something, whereas “onwards” emphasizes continuation or movement farther forward.