后缀-ward(s) = tending to ～;in the direction of ～;towar

-ward和wards都是古英语的表方向的派生后缀。-ward既可以充当形容词后缀，也可以充当副词后缀；-wards只能充当副词后缀。它们一般加在介词、形容词或名词后面，表示tending to or leading to～(倾向...的，倾向...地）；in the direction of ～(在...方向，往...方向）；toward～(朝...的；朝...地）等意思。

1.afterwards [after prep.& adj.在...以后；-wards →“倾向于在...时间之后”→]
adv.后来，以后
The bud was samll at first,but afterwards it became a large flower. 起先花蕾很小，但后来开成了一朵很大的花。

2.backward [back adj.&n. 后面（的）；-ward→]
adv./adj. 向后；向后的
ex)He leaned backward. 他向后靠。
She gave him a backward look over her shoulder.她回头看了他一眼。

3.homeward [home n.家；-ward →]
adv./adj. 向家；向家的，向本国的
ex)The ship is on her homeward course. 这条船行驶在回国的航线上。