# toward

> English word · Preposition · IPA /təˈwɔːd/ · frequency rank #1,970

## Definitions
1. In the direction of.
2. In relation to (someone or something).
3. For the purpose of attaining (an aim).
4. Located close to; near (a time or place).

## Etymology
From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to + -ward. Cognate with Middle Low German tôwart, Middle Dutch toewaert (Modern Dutch toewaarts), Middle High German zuowart, zūwart (Modern German zuwärts). Compare also Middle English tilward, tillward (“toward”).

## Easily confused with
- **tower** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toward-vs-tower)
- **towed** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toward-vs-towed)
- **towers** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toward-vs-towers)
- **towards** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toward-vs-towards)
- **toad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/toad-vs-toward)
- **thwart** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/thwart-vs-toward)

## Common misspellings (9)
`otward`, `toawrd`, `towadr`, `towardd`, `towarrd`, `towrad`, `towward`, `ttoward`, `twoard`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/toward