skyward
gb/skˈaɪwɚd/ us/skˈaɪwɚd/
B2
English
Senses
0 senses
adverb
B2
relation
1
toward the sky; upward
Up, in the direction of the sky.
Usage pattern:
[move/look/point] skyward
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes add -s (*skywards*), which is possible in some varieties, but *skyward* is common and standard.
Synonyms
upward (More general; not specifically linked to the sky.)
|
upwards (Common alternative adverb; slightly less literary than *skyward*.)
|
aloft (Emphasizes being up in the air rather than direction.)
Antonyms
downward (In the direction toward the ground.)
|
downwards (Common alternative to *downward*.)
Collocations
look skyward
|gaze skyward
|stare skyward
|shoot skyward
|rise skyward
|soar skyward
|drift skyward
|tilt your face skyward
|point skyward
|reach skyward
Themes
nature
|movement
|space
|aviation
Examples
- The rocket shot skyward and disappeared into the clouds.
- She tilted her face skyward to feel the rain.
- He stared skyward as the helicopter passed overhead.
Learner examples
- Look skyward and you can see the moon.
- The balloon moved skyward.
adjective
C1
property
2
directed upward toward the sky
Pointing or facing up, toward the sky.
Usage pattern:
a skyward [glance/gaze/trajectory]
Common mistake:
Learners may try to use *skyward* as a noun; it is normally an adjective or adverb.
Synonyms
upward (More general and very common; less vivid than *skyward*.)
|
upward-facing (Describes orientation more literally and technically.)
Antonyms
downward (Directed toward the ground.)
|
downward-facing (Opposite orientation.)
Collocations
skyward glance
|skyward gaze
|skyward look
|skyward motion
|skyward movement
|skyward path
|skyward trajectory
|skyward climb
|skyward sprint
|skyward thrust
Themes
nature
|movement
|body_language
|aviation
Examples
- With a skyward glance, she checked the dark clouds.
- The pilot adjusted the plane’s skyward trajectory.
- They followed the bird’s skyward flight with their eyes.
Learner examples
- He gave a skyward look.
- The plane began a skyward climb.
Grammar
Dictionary form
skyward
IPA
GB/skˈaɪwɚd/
US/skˈaɪwɚd/
Syllables & stress
sky - ward (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (sky)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: skyward
- Comparative: skywarder
- Superlative: skywardest
Expressions
gaze skyward
1/ɡˈeɪz skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
stare up toward the sky
To look up for a long time.
Examples
- He gazed skyward, watching the clouds drift past.
- They gazed skyward in silence as the eclipse began.
- She gazed skyward, trying to spot the first star.
look skyward
1/lˈʊk skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
look up at the sky
To look up at the sky.
Examples
- If you look skyward tonight, you’ll see a bright planet.
- She looked skyward when she heard thunder.
- They looked skyward as fireworks began.
reach skyward
1/ɹˈit͡ʃ skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
stretch up toward the sky
To stretch up as high as possible.
Examples
- She reached skyward to grab the lowest branch.
- New shoots reached skyward after the rain.
- The towers reached skyward above the old city.
rise skyward
1/ɹˈaɪz skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
go up toward the sky
To go up toward the sky.
Examples
- Smoke rose skyward from the chimney.
- Bubbles rose skyward through the clear water.
- As the sun warmed the air, the mist rose skyward.
shoot skyward
1/ʃˈut skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
move upward very fast
To go up very fast.
Examples
- Flames shot skyward when the fuel ignited.
- The fountain’s water shot skyward in a narrow stream.
- The kite shot skyward as the wind picked up.
soar skyward
1/sˈɔɹ skˈaɪwɚd/
fixed phrase
fly upward high and smoothly
To go up high in the air.
Examples
- The eagle soared skyward on a warm current of air.
- The drone soared skyward and hovered above the field.
- Cheers rose as the balloon soared skyward.