What does toward mean?
Toward is a preposition and adverb used to show direction, commonly in physical contexts such as movement toward a person, place, or object. It can also express an abstract direction: a plan may move toward completion, and a person may work toward an important goal. As a preposition, toward usually appears before a noun, pronoun, or gerund; as an adverb, it can stand alone or follow another word. The spelling toward is standard throughout the English-speaking world, while towards is a common variant, especially in British English. Although usually neutral in tone, toward can imply gradual movement or development rather than a sudden change. Its long history and connection with forward, backward, and afterward make it a useful reminder that English often expresses spatial relationships through a shared Germanic directional root.
In the direction of someone or something; with regard to, or in the direction of, a result or state of affairs.
"The company is working toward a solution to the problem."
Toward is standard in American English and is also used in British English, where towards may be preferred.
In the direction of movement, action, or attention.
"The dog looked toward when it heard its name."
Adverbial toward often occurs with verbs of movement or attention.
The same Old English root that gives us toward also gives us forward and backward, linking direction, movement, and orientation in one Germanic word family.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does toward come from?
Toward comes from Old English tōweard, formed from tō, meaning “to,” and -weard, meaning “in the direction of.” The word developed through Middle English into modern toward, while towards became a widespread variant. The same Old English element survives in words such as forward, backward, afterward, and ward.
Related word forms
How toward is actually used
Toward is standard in both British and American English, though towards is especially frequent in British usage. American English generally favors toward, and both forms are common in formal writing.
Easily confused with toward
Towards is a fully established variant of toward; it is especially common in British English, while toward is generally preferred in American English.