A2preposition 1K

Towards

🇬🇧 UK /["/təˈwɔːdz/","/təˈwɔːd/"]/ 🇺🇸 US /["/tɔːrdz/","/tɔːrd/"]/

Meaning of Towards

in the direction of somebody/something

In simple words: In the direction of something.

Towards in a sentence

• They were heading towards the German border.
• She had her back towards me.
• This is a first step towards political union.
• towards the end of April
• He was warm and tender towards her.
• our attitude towards death
• The money will go towards a new school building *(= will help pay for it)*.

How to use Towards

Use 'towards' when indicating direction or goal. It’s suitable in both spoken and written English, but avoid in very formal contexts where 'in the direction of' might be preferred.

Grammar pattern

towards + object

Memory hint

Think of 'towards' as 'two-wards' — you're moving two steps toward something.

Related words

Collocations with Towards

• walk towards
• move towards
• head towards

Synonyms for Towards

• in the direction of
• toward
• to

Opposites of Towards

• away
• backward

Common mistakes with Towards

• Confused with 'toward' — remember they are interchangeable but 'towards' is more common in British English.
• Incorrectly using 'towards' when the direction is not physical — use it only for direction or goals.

Frequently asked questions about Towards

What does Towards mean?

In the direction of something.

What is the definition of Towards?

in the direction of somebody/something

How do you use Towards in a sentence?

They were heading towards the German border.

Can you give another example of Towards?

She had her back towards me.

What are synonyms for Towards?

Common alternatives include in the direction of, toward, to.

What is the opposite of Towards?

Opposite meanings include away, backward.

What words go with Towards?

It commonly pairs with walk towards, move towards, head towards.

What are common mistakes when using Towards?

Confused with 'toward' — remember they are interchangeable but 'towards' is more common in British English. Incorrectly using 'towards' when the direction is not physical — use it only for direction or goals.

How do you pronounce Towards?

US: /["/tɔːrdz/","/tɔːrd/"]/, UK: /["/təˈwɔːdz/","/təˈwɔːd/"]/. Listen to the audio above to hear native pronunciation.

When should I use Towards?

Use 'towards' when indicating direction or goal. It’s suitable in both spoken and written English, but avoid in very formal contexts where 'in the direction of' might be preferred.

What CEFR level is Towards?

"Towards" is at A2 level on the CEFR scale.