Towards means in the direction of something or someone. If you walk towards the library, you're heading in that direction. If a soccer ball rolls towards the goal, it's moving closer to it. When someone turns towards you, they're facing your direction.

The word also describes working or moving closer to a goal or purpose. You might save money towards buying a new bike, practice towards improving your piano skills, or study towards becoming a veterinarian. Each action brings you nearer to what you want to achieve.

Towards can describe feelings and attitudes too. If your teacher is sympathetic towards students who are struggling, she shows understanding and care. If someone feels hostile towards an idea, their attitude points against it.

You'll also see the spelling toward (without the 's'), which means exactly the same thing. Both are correct: Americans tend to prefer toward, while British writers often choose towards. Pick whichever sounds better to your ear.