What does thisaway mean?
Thisaway is an English dialect word that points toward the speaker's present location. Depending on context, it can mean “here,” “in this direction,” “toward this place,” or, as an adjective, “local” or “belonging to this place.” The expression “come thisaway,” for example, is an emphatic dialectal equivalent of “come here.” Its vocabulary is transparent: the demonstrative this is joined to the older adverb away. The compound now survives mainly in regional speech and in older, folksy, or deliberately rustic writing. Outside those contexts, ordinary English usually chooses here, this way, over here, or local. To many modern speakers, thisaway sounds quaint, comic, or out of date rather than neutral. It is nevertheless useful to writers seeking a regional or historical voice, while also showing how English can preserve a local meaning long after the compound has largely fallen out of everyday standard usage.
Here, at this place, in this direction, or toward this place, according to context.
"Come thisaway and have a look at this."
This use is chiefly dialectal and informal.
Belonging to this place; local.
"They are all thisaway people, born and raised in the village."
This use is characteristic of regional and older English.
Thisaway is a one-word compass: it points toward the speaker's here rather than some distant elsewhere.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does thisaway come from?
Thisaway is an English compound formed from the demonstrative this and the adverb away. The demonstrative continues Old English þis, while away developed from Old English āweg, meaning “away” or “off.” Parallel formations such as thereaway and whereaway combine other place-words with away, illustrating the transparent compound structure of thisaway.
How thisaway is actually used
The word is informal and dialectal, and it may sound quaint, archaic, comic, or deliberately regional to modern speakers. Its precise meaning depends on context: it can indicate a location, a direction, movement toward the speaker, or local character.
Easily confused with thisaway
Thisaway refers to the speaker's here or this direction, whereas thereaway refers to there or that direction and is now largely archaic or dialectal.