# onward

/ˈɔnwɝd/ (US) · /ˈɒnwəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/onward
Updated: 2026-08-08

## Senses

### 1. forward in space

adverb · CEFR B2

moving forward or towards a place that is further ahead.

For teachers: in a forward direction; toward a point ahead in space.

- The hikers pushed onward despite the heavy rain and wind.
- The expedition pressed onward through the dense jungle, determined to reach the ruins before the seasonal rains made the paths impassable.

### 2. forward in time

adverb · CEFR B2

continuing from a specific time into the future.

For teachers: continuing from a specified point in time; often used in the phrase 'from [time] onward'.

- From the 1920s onward, the city grew very quickly.
- From the mid-nineteenth century onward, industrialisation fundamentally reshaped the social fabric of the northern provinces.

Usage: Commonly follows a time expression preceded by 'from'.

### 3. moving forward

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes a movement that is going forward.

For teachers: directed or moving forward; typically used before a noun.

- The onward movement of the crowd carried us toward the exit.
- The onward march of technology has rendered many traditional manufacturing processes obsolete within a single generation.

## Examples

- The path leads onward through the forest.
- From the 19th century onward, the city experienced rapid industrial growth and a massive increase in population.
- The explorers pushed onward despite the thinning air, determined to reach the summit before the seasonal storms made the descent impossible.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.