1 hither | Definition of hither

hither

adverb
hith·​er | \ ˈhi-tÍŸhÉ™r How to pronounce hither (audio) \

Definition of hither

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: to this place

hither

adjective

Definition of hither (Entry 2 of 2)

: being on the near or adjacent side

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Synonyms & Antonyms for hither

Synonyms: Adjective

closer, near, nigher, this

Antonyms: Adjective

far, farther, further, opposite, other, that

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Examples of hither in a Sentence

Adjective

we began to explore the hither bank while our companions crossed the creek to explore the yonder bank

Recent Examples on the Web: Adverb

Leonard is forced off his father's farm in a shocking incident and wanders hither and thither, becoming a slave to gypsies, a farmworker, a sailor, a diver and a horseman. Dallas News, "Don't let a bad reader ruin your audiobook experience: Here are recordings to savor — and to avoid," 20 Aug. 2019 Colorado Department of Transportation Over Memorial Day weekend, a mountain highway in Colorado was just minding its own business, being a nice, normal road and facilitating the transportation of automobiles and trucks hither and yon. Sarah Todd, Quartz, "A giant boulder in Colorado offers a philosophical lesson for all of us," 8 June 2019 Come hither, parched ones, because the Droughtlander is over and the time has come to quench! your! thirst! Mehera Bonner, Harper's BAZAAR, "Claire and Jamie Find Trouble in America in Outlander's Dramatic Premiere Episode," 5 Nov. 2018 In one of the film’s best running gags, the Arpels’ pet dachshund rushes hither and thither, joining the many stray dogs of the neighborhood and following them in and out of formal buildings. Peter Cowie, WSJ, "Hilariously Stuck Between Modernity and the Past," 27 Apr. 2018 For decades, the parents of gifted young players sent their kids hither and yon in a Canadian junior hockey system that worked well for some players, and not so well for others. Charles P. Pierce, SI.com, "Humboldt Tragedy Hits Home for Hockey and Non-Hockey Families Alike," 9 Apr. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'hither.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of hither

Adverb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for hither

Adverb

Middle English hider, hither, from Old English hider; akin to Goth hidre hither, Latin citra on this side — more at he

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More Definitions for hither

hither

adverb

English Language Learners Definition of hither

old-fashioned + literary : to this place

hither

adverb
hith·​er | \ ˈhi-tÍŸhÉ™r How to pronounce hither (audio) \

Kids Definition of hither

: to this place Come hither.

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More from Merriam-Webster on hither

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with hither

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for hither

Spanish Central: Translation of hither

Nglish: Translation of hither for Spanish Speakers