adjective
untoward
uhn-tuu-WAWD
Untoward (adjective) means Unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable. Example: “Nothing untoward happened during the flight.”
adjective
1
Unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.
"Nothing untoward happened during the flight."
"The manager noticed something untoward about the invoice."
2
Difficult to control or manage.
"The untoward child refused to sit still for the photo."
How to use untoward
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishSomething out of place, improper, or unlucky — often used in the negative, as in "nothing untoward."
Common mistake
Almost always paired with "nothing" or "anything" in modern usage; rarely used to praise something.
Common pairings
nothing untoward
an untoward incident
untoward behaviour
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Word forms
- Comparative
- more untoward
- Superlative
- most untoward
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Nothing _____ happened during the flight.
Etymology
From un- (\"not\") plus toward, originally meaning heading in the wrong direction.
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for untoward
See all rhymes for untoward →Frequently asked questions
What does “untoward” mean?
The word “untoward” means unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable. In plain terms, something out of place, improper, or unlucky — often used in the negative, as in "nothing untoward.".
How do you pronounce “untoward”?
“Untoward” is pronounced uhn-tuu-WAWD (/ˌʌn.təˈwɔɹd/ in IPA).
How do you use “untoward” in a sentence?
Here is “untoward” used in a sentence: “Nothing untoward happened during the flight.”
What part of speech is “untoward”?
“Untoward” is an adjective.
How many meanings does “untoward” have?
“Untoward” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.
