-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

Earlier this week, a BBC investigation reported Ms Upton had been banned from entering any of Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust's mortuaries and maternity wards for keeping the bodies of babies at her home.

From BBC

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said it had barred Amie Upton, who runs the Florrie's Army baby loss support and funeral service, from its mortuaries and NHS maternity wards in spring this year.

From BBC

Bored, with her infant wards asleep, Debbie decided to take a chance and telephone the desert.

From Los Angeles Times

A funeral director has been banned from NHS maternity wards and mortuaries in Leeds after keeping babies' bodies at her home, a BBC investigation has revealed.

From BBC

Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust said it had barred 38-year-old Amie Upton from its mortuaries and maternity wards in spring this year.

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.