towards English · revision 3346
15 Oct 2026, 19:39 by bogdan “en10k b0058: practice … offer” current version
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+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=derivation|attested=c. 888|origins=ang tōweard}}
+
+ ==Pronunciation==
+ * IPA: /təˈwɔːdz/ ''(UK)''; /tʊˈwɔɹdz/, /ˈtɔɹdz/ ''(US)''^(Wiktionary)
+
+ ==Etymology==
+ It is [[inh|enm|towardes]],^(MWU 2024) [[inh|ang|tōweardes]],^(Etymonline)^(COED 2004) from [[m|ang|tōweard|t=coming, facing, approaching]], the source of [[toward]], with the adverbial genitive ending -es,^(Etymonline)^(SOED 2002) as in other words in [[-wards]].^(SOED 2002)^(COED 2004)
+
+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==
+ Of motion, “in the direction of, on the way to”: about 888.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Semantic evolution==
+ Of position, “facing, on the side next to”, it is from 1423, and “near, about” from about 1447.^(OED 1989) Introducing the object of a feeling or action, as in ''her feelings towards me'', it is from 1390.^(OED 1989) “In favour of” was a rare use from 1472.^(OED 1989) Collins also gives “as a contribution to”, as in ''money towards a new car'', and “just before”, as in ''towards one o'clock''.^(Collins 2023) Merriam-Webster records an archaic adjective ''towards'', “forward, onward”.^(MWU 2024)
+
+ ==Timeline==
+ * c. 888 – in the direction of.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1390 – introducing the object of a feeling.^(OED 1989)
+ * 1423 – facing, next to.^(OED 1989)
+ * c. 1447 – near, about.^(OED 1989)
+
+ ==Modern meaning==
+ ===Preposition===
+ # In the direction of: ''towards London''.^(Collins 2023)^(SOED 2002)
+ # With regard to: ''her attitude towards him''.^(Collins 2023)^(OED 1989)
+ # As a contribution to: ''money towards a new car''.^(Collins 2023)
+ # Near in time, just before: ''towards evening''.^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ==Related words==
+ * [[toward]]
+ * [[to]]
+ * [[-ward]]
+ * [[-wards]]
+ * [[untoward]]
+ * [[forward]]
+
+ ==Usage notes==
+ Longman notes that ''towards'' is especially British and ''toward'' especially American.^(LDOCE 2009) In Irish English ''towards'' can mean “in comparison with”.^(Collins 2023)
+
+ ==References==
+ {{reflist}}