onward

C2 Topic:Describing Qualities

Also spelled onwards

US /ˈɑnwɚd/ UK /ˈɒnwəd/ See IPA manual

Freq #15266

Meanings

1

adj
Moving forward.

There was an onward rush as the gates opened.
2

adj
Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.

Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruits were of his friend's labour.
3

adv
In a forward direction.

[…] yonder cloud That rises upward always higher, ⁠And onward drags a labouring breast, ⁠And topples round the dreary west, A looming bastion fringed with fire.
4

verb
To keep going; to progress or persevere.

The aim of the preacher who in the best sense would be up-to-date should comprize the homiletic method which, while following in a degree the example of the fathers, tries to formulate truth in clear and philosophical statements, not essaying a muddy theology or priding itself on a vague, vacuous mysticism, communing with the great minds of the ages from Augustine down, learning something from each and following none slavishly, at every successive stage in the process of development being able distinctly to set forth th truth ascertained thus far, obeying the onwarding impulse of the true investigator without keeping things forever so "fluid" that no precipitate of dependable doctrine is ever rendered, […].

Verb forms

Verb forms are not available for this word yet.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

3 adv · in a forward direction. forthonwards

Appears in

Phrases (1)

See all

onward motion
movement forward toward a destination or goal

Adjective + noun

Etymology

From on + -ward.

Topics

Describing Qualities

External links

# onward

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, adv, verb
**IPA (US):** /ˈɑnwɚd/
**IPA (UK):** /ˈɒnwəd/
**Frequency rank:** 15266

## Meanings
1. Moving forward.
2. Advanced in a forward direction or toward an end.
3. In a forward direction.
4. To keep going; to progress or persevere.

## Examples
- There was an onward rush as the gates opened.
- Within a while, Philoxenus came to see how onward the fruits were of his friend's labour.
- […] yonder cloud That rises upward always higher, ⁠And onward drags a labouring breast, ⁠And topples round the dreary west, A looming bastion fringed with fire.
- The aim of the preacher who in the best sense would be up-to-date should comprize the homiletic method which, while following in a degree the example of the fathers, tries to formulate truth in clear and philosophical statements, not essaying a muddy theology or priding itself on a vague, vacuous mysticism, communing with the great minds of the ages from Augustine down, learning something from each and following none slavishly, at every successive stage in the process of development being able distinctly to set forth th truth ascertained thus far, obeying the onwarding impulse of the true investigator without keeping things forever so "fluid" that no precipitate of dependable doctrine is ever rendered, […].

## Etymology
From on + -ward.

## Topics
- Describing Qualities

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