hither

American  

[hith-er] / ˈhɪð ər /

adverb

1. to or toward this place.

   to come hither.

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adjective

1. being on this or the closer side; nearer.

   the hither side of the meadow.

idioms

1. hither and thither, in various quarters; here and there.

   They scurried hither and thither to escape the rain.

2. hither and yon, from here to over there, especially to a farther place; in or to a great many places.

   He looked hither and yon for the coin. She went hither and yon in search of an answer.

hither British  

/ ˈhɪðə /

adverb

1. Also (archaic): hitherward.   hitherwards.  to or towards this place (esp in the phrase come hither )

2. this way and that, as in a state of confusion

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adjective

1. archaic (of a side or part, esp of a hill or valley) nearer; closer

Etymology

Origin of hither

First recorded before 900; Middle English, Old English hider; cognate with Old Norse hethra, Latin citer “on this side”

Example Sentences

“He has erected a multitude of New Offices, and sent hither swarms of Officers to harass our people.”

From The Wall Street Journal • Oct. 23, 2025

For years, as an early-warning alert system, the county agricultural people had been hanging Medfly traps hither and thither among our pretty, fructiferous trees — little A-frame-shaped cardboard doohickeys with a dab of fly attractant.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 15, 2024

When Santos is sworn in on Capitol Hill next week, it will send a Bat-signal across the land: Come hither, crooks and swindlers, con artists and hustlers all.

From Salon • Dec. 28, 2022

“Masks blow hither and thither,” she added, “and finally come to rest when they hit a patch of water,” grass or sidewalk, where they too often remain.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 16, 2021

“I have not brought you hither to be instructed by you, but to give you a choice.”

From "The Fellowship of the Ring" by J.R.R. Tolkien