Onward
ˈɒnwəd
Definitions
Moving or going forward; further in space or time.
ˈɒnwəd
Moving forward in space or time; ahead.
The explorers pressed onward despite the challenging terrain.
💡 Simply: Imagine you're on a road trip, and you keep driving! 'Onward' means you're still going forward, continuing your journey. For example, you might say 'Let's drive onward' when you're excited to reach your destination.
👶 For kids: It means moving forward, like when you're going on an adventure and keep going!
More Examples
As the clock struck midnight, the new year began and we looked onward.
He decided to move onward with his plans, despite the setbacks.
How It's Used
"The hikers continued onward through the forest."
"The soldiers marched onward toward their objective."
Idioms & expressions
onward and upward
Used to express a sense of progress and improvement.
"The company's motto is 'onward and upward,' reflecting their ambition for growth."
From Old English *onweard* (towards, forward), a combination of *on* (on) and *weard* (towards).
The word 'onward' has been used since the Middle Ages, primarily to indicate movement or progress in a forward direction. It was often used in historical texts to describe military maneuvers, journeys, and the passage of time.
Memory tip
Think of 'onward' as a way of moving 'on' the journey ahead.