untoward — [un tō′ərd, untôrd′] adj. [ UN + TOWARD] 1. inappropriate, improper, unseemly, etc. [an untoward remark] 2. not favorable or fortunate; adverse, inauspicious, etc. [untoward circumstances] 3. Archaic stubborn or unruly 4. Obs. awkward; … English World dictionary
untoward — [adj1] troublesome adverse, annoying, awkward, contrary, disastrous, disturbing, fractious, hapless, ill starred, inauspicious, inconvenient, indocile, inimical, inopportune, intractable, irritating, luckless, misfortunate, perverse, recalcitrant … New thesaurus
Untoward — Un*to ward, prep. [Unto + ward.] Toward. [Obs.] Gower. [1913 Webster] … The Collaborative International Dictionary of English
untoward — index adverse (hostile), deplorable, detrimental, disproportionate, inadvisable, inapposite, inappropriate … Law dictionary
untoward — (adj.) 1520s, not having inclination (to or for something), also difficult to manage, unruly, from UN (Cf. un ) (1) not + TOWARD (Cf. toward) … Etymology dictionary
untoward — ► ADJECTIVE ▪ unexpected and inappropriate or adverse … English terms dictionary
untoward — un|to|ward [ ʌntə wɔrd ] adjective not appropriate, usual, or normal: nothing untoward: It s important that nothing untoward should happen during his visit. anything untoward: There was no evidence in the house of anything untoward … Usage of the words and phrases in modern English
untoward — UK [ˌʌntəˈwɔː(r)d] / US [ʌntəˈwɔrd] adjective not suitable, usual, or normal nothing untoward: It s important that nothing untoward should happen during his visit. anything untoward: There was no evidence in the house of anything untoward … English dictionary
untoward — [[t]ʌ̱ntəwɔ͟ː(r)d, AM tɔ͟ː(r)d[/t]] ADJ: pron indef ADJ, ADJ n If you say that something untoward happens, you mean that something happens that is unexpected and causes difficulties. [FORMAL] The surveyor s report didn t highlight anything… … English dictionary
untoward — untowardly, adv. untowardness, n. /un tawrd , tohrd /, adj. 1. unfavorable or unfortunate: Untoward circumstances forced him into bankruptcy. 2. improper: untoward social behavior. 3. Archaic. froward; perverse. [1520 30; UN 1 + TOWARD] * * * … Universalium
