-wards

1. variant of -ward.

   towards; afterwards.

-wards

suffix

1. indicating direction towards Compare -ward

   a step backwards

   to sail shorewards

Spelling Note

See -ward.

Word History and Origins

Origin of -wards¹

Middle English; Old English -weardes, equivalent to -weard toward ( ward ) + -es -s ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of -wards¹

Old English -weardes towards

Example Sentences

Yet despite the growth in Spanish-speaking wards and a more diverse Mormon community, many interviewed for this story still feel they face challenges of racism and belonging.

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He shepherds his wards through the landscape of their degradation, helping to set rules for coexistence—how to share scarce food, for instance, and their hellishly tight space—and teaching them to rise above their humiliation.

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Foster mothers agreed not to have their own offspring for three years to give them time to bond with their wards.

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As they do in most Gaza hospitals, Hamas maintains a torture dungeon at al-Shifa, hidden from the regular wards and operating rooms.

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Julie Edwards, Labour councillor for the Tylorstown and Ynyshir wards said she was aware of a "tragic incident".

Read more on BBC

When To Use

What does -wards mean?

The suffix -wards is used to mean "in the direction of," either in time or space. It is often used in everyday and technical terms.The form -wards comes from Old English -weardes, meaning “towards.”What are variants of -wards?The suffix -wards is more common in British English. In North American English, the variant -ward, as in toward, is more commonly used. Want to know more? Read our Words That Use article on -ward.