• -wards

    Pronunciation

    • IPA: /wÉ™(r)dz/

    Origin

    From Old English -weardes, a variant of -weard; see -ward for more.

    Full definition of -wards

    Suffix

    1. Forming adverbs denoting course or direction to, or motion or tendency toward, as in "backwards", "towards", etc.

    Usage notes

    The choice between -ward and -wards is individual or dialectal; both are widely used.

    Adverbs ending in -wards (Anglo-Saxon -weardes) and some other adverbs, such as besides, betimes, since Old English sithens, etc., originated as genitive forms used adverbially.

    Related terms

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