adv

hither

HIH-thuh

Hither (adv) means to this place; here (mainly literary or old-fashioned), especially in the phrase "hither and thither" (in various directions). Example: “Come hither, my friend.”

adv

To this place; here (mainly literary or old-fashioned), especially in the phrase "hither and thither" (in various directions).

"Come hither, my friend."

"People rushed hither and thither trying to find shelter from the storm."

How to use hither

Learner’s notes

When to use it

Archaic and literary; rarely used outside the fixed phrase "hither and thither" in modern English.

Common pairings

hither and thither come hither

Word forms

hithered past tense, hithers singular

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Etymology

From Old English hider, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to here."

Origin: Old English

Synonyms

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here

Antonyms

hence

Related words

that here therefore army thus hence consequently thereby

Rhymes for hither

either wither thither whither neither slither

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Frequently asked questions

What does “hither” mean?

The word “hither” means to this place; here (mainly literary or old-fashioned), especially in the phrase "hither and thither" (in various directions).

How do you pronounce “hither”?

“Hither” is pronounced HIH-thuh (/ˈhɪðɚ/ in IPA).

How do you use “hither” in a sentence?

Here is “hither” used in a sentence: “Come hither, my friend.”

What is the opposite of “hither”?

The opposite of “hither” — its antonyms — is hence.

What part of speech is “hither”?

“Hither” is an adverb.

Where does the word “hither” come from?

The word “hither” comes from Old English. From Old English hider, from a Proto-Germanic root meaning "to here.".

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