towards

He walked towards the bright red mailbox on the corner.

Definition

1. Preposition (also spelled ):
   • In the direction of: indicating movement or orientation aimed at a specific person, place, or thing.

     • She walked towards the door. (Moving in the direction of the door.)
   • In relation to: expressing an attitude, feeling, or action directed at someone or something.

     • His behaviour towards his colleagues was respectful. (How he acted in relation to them.)
   • For the purpose of: indicating a goal or intended result.

     • They are saving money towards a new car. (Saving with the aim of buying a car.)
   • Approximately: used to indicate a time or number close to a particular point.

     • The meeting is scheduled towards the end of the day. (Around the end of the day.)

Usage Examples

• Direction:
  • The dog ran towards the park. (Moving in the direction of the park.)
• Attitude:
  • She feels a sense of gratitude towards her teacher. (Her feeling is directed at the teacher.)
• Purpose:
  • He donated a portion of his salary towards charity. (He gave money with the aim of supporting charity.)
• Approximation:
  • The project will be completed towards spring. (Around the season of spring.)

Advanced Usage

• "lean towards": to show a preference for something.
  • I am leaning towards choosing the blue option. (I am favouring that choice.)
• "work towards": to make efforts to achieve a goal.
  • The team is working towards a deadline. (They are striving to meet it.)
• "contribute towards": to help achieve or provide part of something.
  • Your donation contributes towards building a school. (It helps in the process.)

Variants and Related Words

• Toward (prep): an alternative spelling, used more commonly in American English.
  • He drove toward the city. (Same meaning as towards.)
• Untoward (adj): unexpected and inappropriate or unpleasant.
  • Nothing untoward happened during the trip. (No negative or unexpected events occurred.)

Synonyms

• In the direction of: , (when indicating movement).
• In relation to: , , .
• For the purpose of: , .

Phrasal Verbs

• Edge towards: to move gradually in a direction.
  • She edged towards the exit. (Moved slowly towards the door.)
• Head towards: to go in a specific direction.
  • We are heading towards the mountains. (Going in that direction.)

Related Idioms

• Towards the end: near the conclusion of something.
  • Towards the end of the film, the plot twists. (Close to the film's finish.)
• Towards the light: moving toward a positive outcome or clarity.
  • After years of struggle, he is finally moving towards the light. (Approaching a better situation.)