towards */*/*/

towards */*/*/
UK [təˈwɔː(r)dz] / US [təˈwɔrdz] preposition
1) in a particular direction used for saying in which direction someone or something is going, facing, or looking

a stream of traffic speeding towards West London

I saw Joanna hurrying towards me along the drive.

Victor was standing with his back towards me.

She directed a brief glance towards Peter.

a path leading towards the river

2) concerning someone/something used when saying how you feel about someone or something or how you treat them

He's not feeling very friendly towards you at the moment.

the Church's attitude towards divorce

international policy towards Iraq

3) nearer to a particular result used for showing how a process is developing in a way that will produce a particular result

progress towards European unity

Not much has been done towards improving safety.

4) near a time or place
a) a little before a particular time

I'll phone you some time towards the end of the week.

It was towards midnight when finally she sent the children off to bed.

b) not far from a particular place or position

Caroline's name appeared towards the bottom of the list.

Towards the edge of the wood there were patches of yellow primroses.

5) helping to pay for something in order to help to pay for something

I would be happy to contribute towards the cost of the petrol.


English dictionary. 2014.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Towards — To wards, prep. & adv. See {Toward}. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • towards — [tôrdz; tōrdz, tō′ərdz; twôrdz; too wôrdz′, təwôrdz′] prep. 〚ME towardes < OE toweardes < toweard + adv. gen. ( e)s〛 TOWARD * * * to·wards (tôrdz, tōrdz, tə wôrdzʹ) prep. Variant of toward. adj. Variant of toward. * * * …   Universalium

  • towards — (chiefly N. Amer. also toward) ► PREPOSITION 1) in the direction of. 2) getting nearer to (a time or goal). 3) in relation to. 4) contributing to the cost of. ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • towards — [tôrdz; tōrdz, tō′ərdz; twôrdz; too wôrdz′, təwôrdz′] prep. [ME towardes < OE toweardes < toweard + adv. gen. ( e)s] TOWARD …   English World dictionary

  • towards — [[t]təwɔ͟ː(r)dz, AM tɔ͟ːrdz[/t]] ♦ (in AM and sometimes in BRIT, use toward) 1) PREP If you move, look, or point towards something or someone, you move, look, or point in their direction. Caroline leant across the table towards him... Anne left… …   English dictionary

  • towards — to|wards W1S1 [təˈwo:dz US to:rdz, two:rdz] prep especially BrE to|ward [təˈwo:d US to:rd, two:rd] especially AmE ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1¦(direction)¦ 2¦(producing a result)¦ 3¦(feeling/attitude)¦ 4¦(help pay for)¦ 5¦(before)¦ 6¦(near)¦ ▬▬▬▬▬▬▬ 1.) …   Dictionary of contemporary English

  • towards — especially BrE to.ward especially AmE preposition 1 moving, looking, or pointing in a particular direction: He noticed two policemen coming towards him. | All the windows face toward the river. | He was standing with his back towards me. 2 if you …   Longman dictionary of contemporary English

  • towards*/*/*/ — [təˈwɔːdz] preposition 1) going, facing, or looking in a particular direction I saw Joanna hurrying towards me.[/ex] Victor was standing with his back towards me.[/ex] a path leading towards the river[/ex] 2) used when saying how you feel about… …   Dictionary for writing and speaking English

  • Towards — Toward To ward, Towards To wards, prep.[AS. ? impending, imminent, future, toward, ? towards. See {To}, and {ward}, {wards}.] 1. In the direction of; to. [1913 Webster] He set his face toward the wilderness. Num. xxiv. 1. [1913 Webster] The waves …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • towards — /təˈwɔdz / (say tuh wawdz), /tɔdz / (say tawdz) preposition 1. in the direction of (with reference to either motion or position): to walk towards the north. 2. with respect to; as regards: one s attitude towards a proposition. 3. nearly as late… …  

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