-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

Language itself wards off evil.

From Los Angeles Times

After 23 months of war, it now lies in ruins, pockmarked by craters, with burned-out wards and bullet holes.

From BBC

The latest Census information shows the largest ethnic group in Normanton and Arboretum wards is Asian, with Islam the most widely practised religion.

From BBC

The women's exercise project was initially set up by Amjad Ashraf, and the team from DE23 Active - a five-year project promoting physical activity in the Normanton and Arboretum wards.

From BBC

This is highlighted by charity The Health Foundation, which shows Derby's Normanton and Arboretum wards as having one of the lowest life expectancy rates in the city.

From 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.