onward

American  

[on-werd, awn-] / ˈɒn wərd, ˈɔn- /

adverb

1. toward a point ahead or in front; forward, as in space or time.

   Antonyms:

   backward

2. at a position or point in advance.

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adjective

1. directed or moving onward or forward; forward.

   Antonyms:

   backward

onward British  

/ ˈɒnwəd /

adjective

1. directed or moving forwards, onwards, etc

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adverb

1. a variant of onwards

Usage

What does onward mean? Onward means about the same thing as forward—toward a point ahead or in the future.It can be used in the context of travel through physical space or through time, but it is perhaps most commonly used when discussing progress toward a goal.Onward can be used as either an adverb or an adjective. When used as an adverb, onward typically comes after the verb, as in We traveled onward. When onward is used as an adverb, it is interchangeable with onwards (which is only used as an adverb).It can be used to refer to all the time after a certain point, as in These records are from 1950 onward. It can also be used as a kind of command or word of encouragement meaning something like move on, as in Onward, scouts! We need to reach camp before nightfall.Onward appears in the phrase onward and upward, which is usually used in the context of progress or success.Example: If we don’t keep moving onward and innovating, we’ll never be able to compete in this market.

Related Words

See forward.

Etymology

Origin of onward

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; on, -ward

Example Sentences

Instead of slamming directly into a flat barrier, particles move along the surface and are guided onward toward the gullet.

From Science Daily

Recurring income from these projects is expected to begin from 2028 onward.

From The Wall Street Journal

The company expects sales to return to growth in 2027 and to accelerate the following year, with profitability improving from 2027 onward.

From The Wall Street Journal

There could be sizable price swings next week, given that volumes are likely to be thin from Thursday onward due to Thanksgiving.

From Barron's

“What a long way you have come. Per angusta ad augusta. Through adversity, we march onward to triumph. Remember, Penny, even a narrow and difficult road can lead to a high place.”

From Literature