How to pronounce toward
Say it like TORD. Toward is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress.
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce toward. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- TORD
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Toward pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- TORDSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of toward
- American English uses 1 syllable and British English 2.
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
British respelling: tuh-WAWD.
What does toward mean?
- In the direction of.“She moved toward the door.”
- In relation to (someone or something).“What are your feelings toward him?”
- For the purpose of attaining (an aim).“I'm saving money toward retirement.”
- Yielding, pliant; docile; ready or apt to learn; not froward.
- Approaching, coming near; impending; present, at hand.
Where does toward come from?
From Middle English toward, from Old English tōweard, from Proto-West Germanic *tōward, equivalent to to + -ward.
Words that rhyme with toward
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of toward.
Questions about saying toward
How do you pronounce toward?
Say TORD. The American pronunciation is /tɔrd/. In British English it is /təˈwɔːd/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in toward?
Toward is a single syllable, so the whole word carries the stress. Broken into parts: TORD.
Is toward pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. American English uses 1 syllable and British English 2. The British form is /təˈwɔːd/ (tuh-WAWD).