toward
gb/təwˈɔɹd/ us/təwˈɔɹd/
A1
English
~ 2700
felé, iránt, szemben
A1
1
felé
A2
Usage pattern:
to move [something/someone] toward [something/someone]
She walked toward the park to meet her friends.
A park felé sétált, hogy találkozzon a barátaival.
The cat ran toward the door when it heard a noise.
A macska az ajtó felé futott, amikor zajt hallott.
He pointed toward the sky to show the plane.
They swam toward the shore as the sun set.
The soldiers marched toward the capital.
Learner examples
I walked toward the school.
Az iskola felé sétáltam.
He is running toward the bus.
A busz felé fut.
The dog goes toward the boy.
She looks toward the window.
We move toward the big tree.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'toward' with 'forward'; 'forward' means in front, but not necessarily in the direction of a specific object or place.
Meaning
in the direction of
Collocations
walk toward
|move toward
|look toward
|run toward
|head toward
Synonyms
towards (Variant spelling used mainly in British English with no difference in meaning.)
|
in the direction of (A longer phrase with the same literal meaning, often used for clarity.)
Antonyms
away from (Indicates movement in the opposite direction.)
Themes
daily life
|travel
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing movement or position in the direction of a person, place, or thing.
Indicating movement, position, or orientation in the direction of someone or something.
B1
2
Usage pattern:
[someone's] attitude toward [something/someone]
Her kindness toward strangers is remarkable.
Figyelemre méltó az idegenek iránti kedvessége.
He has a negative attitude toward change.
Negatív a hozzáállása a változáshoz.
Their policy toward immigrants has changed recently.
I noticed his coldness toward his colleagues.
She showed great respect toward her teachers.
Learner examples
I am kind toward animals.
Kedves vagyok az állatokkal.
He is friendly toward me.
Barátságos velem.
She is angry toward her brother.
They are helpful toward new students.
We are polite toward our neighbors.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'toward' with 'about' when discussing attitudes; 'about' refers to the topic, while 'toward' refers to stance or feeling.
Meaning
with regard to
Collocations
attitude toward
|feeling toward
|behavior toward
|approach toward
Synonyms
regarding (More formal; refers to subject matter rather than emotional attitude.)
|
concerning (Neutral and formal; more about topic than emotion.)
Antonyms
against (Indicates opposition rather than a neutral or positive stance.)
Themes
emotions
|relationships
|communication
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Showing how you feel or act about a person or thing.
Indicating a particular feeling, attitude, or behavior in relation to someone or something.
B1
3
felé
A2
Usage pattern:
toward [a specific time/event]
Toward evening, the wind grew stronger.
Estefelé megerősödött a szél.
We expect temperatures to drop toward midnight.
Arra számítunk, hogy éjfél felé csökkenni fog a hőmérséklet.
Toward the end of the meeting, tensions rose.
He grew nervous toward his performance date.
The streets got busy toward lunchtime.
Learner examples
Toward night, it gets cold.
Estefelé hideg lesz.
We eat dinner toward 7 p.m.
Este 7 óra felé vacsorázunk.
The shop closes toward midnight.
I feel tired toward the end of class.
It rains toward winter.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'toward' with 'until'; 'until' means up to a point, while 'toward' means near that point but not necessarily reaching it exactly.
Meaning
close to a time or event
Collocations
toward evening
|toward midnight
|toward the end
Synonyms
near (Can apply to space or time; less formal.)
|
around (Casual and approximate; often used for times.)
Antonyms
after (Indicates happening later than a time/event rather than close to it.)
Themes
time
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Happening near a certain time or event.
Indicating a time period close to a particular point in time or event.
Grammar
Dictionary form
toward
IPA
GB/təwˈɔɹd/
US/təwˈɔɹd/
Syllables & stress
to - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 2nd syllable (ward)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: toward
- Plural: towards
Word family
Forms
towards
noun A2
Expressions
a step toward
1/ə stˈɛp təwˈɔɹd/
fixed phrase
action moving closer to goal
An action that helps you get closer to what you want.
Examples
- This agreement is a step toward peace.
- Learning English is a step toward studying abroad.
toward a goal
1/təwˈɔɹd ə ɡˈoʊl/
fixed phrase
in direction of an aim or objective
Moving or working in order to reach something you want.
Examples
- She is working hard toward her goal of becoming a doctor.
- They took steps toward a cleaner environment.
toward the end
1/təwˈɔɹd ðə ˈɛnd/
fixed phrase
near the final part of something
Close to when something finishes.
Examples
- Toward the end of the film, I fell asleep.
- We got more questions toward the end of the class.