Definition

Adverb: - Toward land: In the direction of the land, as opposed to the sea or another body of water. It describes movement or orientation facing the shore or inland.

Usage

The adverb "landwards" is used to indicate direction. It modifies verbs of motion or position to specify that the action is oriented toward the land. - It is typically used in descriptive, often literary or geographical, contexts. - It is synonymous with "landward," which can be used interchangeably.

Examples

• The ship slowly turned landwards as it approached the harbor.
• After days at sea, the sailors gazed longingly landwards.
• The storm surge pushed water landwards, causing flooding in coastal towns.
• We walked landwards from the beach to find the village.

Advanced Usage

• "landwards" vs. "landward": Both forms are correct and function identically as adverbs. "Landward" is also used as an adjective (e.g., "the landward side of the island").
• In compound prepositions: It can be part of a prepositional phrase indicating a general direction.
  • The birds flew landwards from the cliff.

Variants and Related Words

• Landward (adverb & adjective): The more common variant, especially in adjectival use.
  • Adverb: They moved landward.
  • Adjective: The landward breeze brought the scent of pine trees.
• Seawards / Seaward (adverb): The opposite directional term, meaning toward the sea.
• Shorewards (adverb): A near-synonym, specifically meaning toward the shore.

Synonyms

• Toward land
• Inland (when moving from the coast)
• Ashore (specifically to or onto the shore from the water)

Antonyms

• Seawards / Seaward
• Offshore
• Out to sea

Related Phrases

• Face landwards: To have one's front oriented toward the land.
  • The house windows face landwards to catch the morning sun.
• Look landwards: To gaze in the direction of the land.
  • From the deck, we could look landwards and see the city lights.

Adverb

1. toward land
   • landward, miles of rough grass marshes melt into low uplands