To — Meaning, Definition & Synonyms

preposition adverb abbreviation /tə/ (preposition) /ˈtü/ (adverb)

Meaning & Definition of To

To (preposition)

  1. —used as a function word to suggest actual or figurative movement toward a place, person, or thing to be reached
  2. —used as a function word to indicate direction
  3. —used as a function word to indicate contact or proximity

To (adverb)

  1. —used as a function word to indicate direction toward
  2. close to the wind
  3. to a state of consciousness or awareness

To (abbreviation)

  1. table of organization
  2. traditional orthography
  3. turnover

To (preposition) — Senses, Synonyms & Antonyms

  1. earlier than

    "right now it's 25 minutes to 10:00"

    similar: afore (chiefly dialect), ahead of, before, ere, fore (chiefly dialect), of, previous to, prior to, in advance of
    related: till, until, up to
    opposite: after, following

Related Entry: To-do (noun)

To-do is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to-do, not for to.

  1. a state of noisy, confused activity

    "there was such a to-do when the mice got loose from the science room that I thought the principal was going to close the school"

Related Entry: To wit (adverb)

To wit is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to wit, not for to.

  1. that is to say

    "if we keep spending money like it's water, we're sure to end up in the same place as it often does, to wit, down the drain"

Related Entry: To a degree (phrase)

To a degree is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to a degree, not for to.

  1. to some degree or extent

    "I agree with her argument to a degree."

Related Entry: To a fault (phrase)

To a fault is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to a fault, not for to.

  1. beyond a normal or acceptable limit

    "She is kind and generous to a fault and often gets taken advantage of."

Related Entry: To a nicety (phrase)

To a nicety is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to a nicety, not for to.

  1. without any flaws or errors

    "She picked an array of flowers from the garden and arranged them to a nicety."

Related Entry: To a T (phrase)

To a T is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to a T, not for to.

  1. in the same manner

    "He walked like his father to a T."

  2. without any flaws or errors

    "The house was decorated to a T."

Related Entry: To a turn (phrase)

To a turn is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to a turn, not for to.

  1. without any flaws or errors

    "The stew was seasoned to a turn."

Related Entry: To be sure (phrase)

To be sure is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to be sure, not for to.

  1. to tell the truth

    "To be sure, there is risk involved, but surgery is by far the best option for this case."

Related Entry: To beat the band (phrase)

To beat the band is a different word from To. The synonyms below are for to beat the band, not for to.

  1. in a vigorous and forceful manner

    "He was hammering to beat the band and woke up the neighbors."

    opposite: feebly, gently, softly, weakly

Synonyms, Thesaurus & Another Word for To

The most common words with a similar meaning to To:

Chiefly dialect: afore, fore

Antonyms & Opposite Words for To

Words with the opposite meaning of To:

Near Antonyms of To

Origin & Etymology of To

Middle English, from Old English tō; akin to Old High German zuo to, Latin donec as long as, until

First known use: before 12th century

Vocabulary Lists & Topics for To

Words & Phrases Containing To

Frequently Asked Questions about To

What does "To" mean?

"To" means —used as a function word to suggest actual or figurative movement toward a place, person, or thing to be reached. As an a preposition, an adverb and an abbreviation, it is defined as: —used as a function word to suggest actual or figurative movement toward a place, person, or thing to be reached.

What is another word for "To"?

Other words for "To" include afore, ahead of, before, ere, fore, of, previous to and prior to. The best synonym depends on which meaning of "To" you intend.

What are different ways to say "To"?

There are 12 words and phrases with a similar meaning to "To". Common alternatives include afore, ahead of, before, ere, fore, of, previous to, prior to and in advance of.

What is the opposite of "To"?

Antonyms of "To" include after and following. Near antonyms include next, next to and since.

How do you use "To" in a sentence?

Examples of "To" in a sentence: "right now it's 25 minutes to 10:00".

Is "To" a noun, verb, or adjective?

"To" can be used as a preposition, an adverb and an abbreviation, depending on the context.

Is "To" useful for IELTS, TOEFL, and other English exams?

As an A1-level word, "To" is typical of Cambridge A1 Movers (Young Learners), TOEIC Listening & Reading 120+.

How do you pronounce "To"?

"To" is pronounced /tə/ as a preposition and /ˈtü/ as an adverb.