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

Unfavourable or improper; not what is expected or acceptable.

"Nothing untoward happened during the flight."

"The manager noticed something untoward about the invoice."

Difficult to control or manage.

"The untoward child refused to sit still for the photo."

How to use untoward

Learner’s notes

In 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

Word forms

more untoward comparative, most untoward superlative

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Nothing _____ happened during the flight.

Etymology

From un- (\"not\") plus toward, originally meaning heading in the wrong direction.

Rhymes for untoward

coward toward

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.