Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

-wards

/wɚdz/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 3.64 in modern English

Syllables
-wards
IPA
/wɚdz/
9
Scrabble Score
5
Letters
2
Syllables
5
Unique Chars

Meaning

suffix

Forming adjectives and adverbs denoting course or direction to, or motion or tendency toward, as in "backwards", "towards", etc.

Example Sentences

  • "(Katisha:) At once I go Mikado-wards!"

Etymology

From Middle English -wardes, from Old English -weardes, a variant of -weard; equivalent to -ward + -s (adverbial suffix). Cognate with German -wärts, Dutch -waarts.

Origin

Word Breakdown

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /wɚdz/
  • British English: /wədz/

Phrases

-ward

Frequently Paired Words

-ward

Questions

How do you pronounce -wards?
The recorded pronunciation is /wɚdz/.
What does -wards mean?
Forming adjectives and adverbs denoting course or direction to, or motion or tendency toward, as in "backwards", "towards", etc.
Where does -wards come from?
It is traced to Middle English.

How to pronounce -wards

  1. Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “-wards”.
  2. Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/wɚdz/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
  3. Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “-wards”.
  4. Repeat and practice — Say “-wards” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.