Etymologically
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towards

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Pronunciation

  • IPA: /təˈwɔːdz/ (UK); /tʊˈwɔɹdz/, /ˈtɔɹdz/ (US)[1]

Etymology

It is inherited from Middle English towardes,[2] inherited from Old English tōweardes,[3][4] from tōweard (“coming, facing, approaching”), the source of toward, with the adverbial genitive ending -es,[3][5] as in other words in -wards.[5][4]

Earliest recorded meaning

Of motion, “in the direction of, on the way to”: about 888.[6]

Semantic evolution

Of position, “facing, on the side next to”, it is from 1423, and “near, about” from about 1447.[6] Introducing the object of a feeling or action, as in her feelings towards me, it is from 1390.[6] “In favour of” was a rare use from 1472.[6] Collins also gives “as a contribution to”, as in money towards a new car, and “just before”, as in towards one o'clock.[7] Merriam-Webster records an archaic adjective towards, “forward, onward”.[2]

Timeline

  • c. 888 – in the direction of.[6]
  • 1390 – introducing the object of a feeling.[6]
  • 1423 – facing, next to.[6]
  • c. 1447 – near, about.[6]

Modern meaning

Preposition

  1. In the direction of: towards London.
  2. With regard to: her attitude towards him.
  3. As a contribution to: money towards a new car.
  4. Near in time, just before: towards evening.

Usage notes

Longman notes that towards is especially British and toward especially American.[8] In Irish English towards can mean “in comparison with”.[7]

References

  1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
  2. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
  3. ^ a b Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
  4. ^ a b Soanes, Catherine; Stevenson, Angus, eds. (2004), Concise Oxford English Dictionary, 11th ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
  5. ^ a b Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles (2002), 5th ed., ed. William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, Oxford: Oxford University Press
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
  7. ^ a b Collins English Dictionary (2023), Glasgow: HarperCollins
  8. ^ Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English (2009), 5th ed., Harlow: Pearson Longman