heavenward

Heav enward is an English word functioning as both an adjective and an adverb. It describes a direction toward heaven or the sky, for example looking heavenward. It derives from heaven plus the directional suffix -ward, with roots in Old English and Proto-Germanic cognates sharing the meaning of toward or in the direction of. Related compass-style terms include skyward and upward.

In English literature and religious usage, heavenward often conveys piety, aspiration, or reverence. It appears in hymns, prayers, and poetic passages, where it invokes the divine or the heavens as a destination or object of longing. The term can also be used figuratively to denote a high moral or spiritual aim.

In modern usage, heavenward is less common in everyday speech but remains a recognizable literary device and descriptor in religious, historical, or stylistic contexts. It may also appear as a title or thematic element in artistic works, including music or literature, to evoke a sense of ascent, transcendence, or devotion.