# towards

Pronunciation: UK say "tuh-WAWDZ" /təˈwɔːdz/; US say "tuu-WORDZ" /tʊˈwɔɹdz/

## Preposition

1. Used to show the direction in which someone or something moves, faces or points.
   - Simple: Used to show which way someone or something is moving, facing or looking.
   - _The children raced towards the ice-cream van._
   - _All the bedrooms face towards the sea._
2. Used to show the person or thing that a feeling, attitude or action relates to.
   - Simple: Used to show who or what your feelings or actions are aimed at.
   - _Public attitudes towards smoking have changed a great deal._
   - _He has always been generous towards his younger brother._
3. Used to show the aim that money, effort or an action is meant to help achieve.
   - Simple: Used to show the goal that something is meant to help you reach.
   - _Both sides are working towards a peaceful settlement._
   - _Her grandparents gave her £200 towards a new laptop._
4. Used to say roughly where or when something is: not far from a given place or point in time.
   - Simple: Used to say that something is not far from a place or a time.
   - _The film gets much better towards the end._
   - _We found seats towards the back of the theatre._

## Adverb

5. In the direction of something already mentioned or clear from the situation. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: In the direction of something, when it is clear what that is.

## Adjective

6. About to happen, or in the course of being prepared. *(archaic)*
   - Simple: About to happen soon, or being made ready.

## Origin

Middle English had towardes, which grew out of the Old English forms tōweardes and tōwærdes. The word is simply toward with an added -s, an ending that forms adverbs.

Source: DictionaryAI, https://dictionaryai.com/define/towards (written from Wiktionary data, CC BY-SA 4.0: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/).