backward
UK /ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/ · US /ˈbækwɚd/ adjective, adverb, noun, verb
Forms backwards backwarding backwarded
- adjective Situated toward or at the rear of something. “The silt collects in the backward part of the tank.”
- adjective Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing. “a backward tilt of the head”
- adjective Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. “The occasional apparent backward movement of planets is evidence that they revolve around the sun.”
- adjective (figuratively) Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress. “This is a backward step for the country.”
- adjective Reversed in order or sequence. “This backward writing is hard to read.”
- adjective Retarded in development; not as advanced as would be expected. “The child is backward in his school work.”
- adjective Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated. “They were a backward people without any writing.”
- adjective Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning. “a backward child”
- adverb At, near or towards the rear of something. “The passenger turned around and walked backward, towards the tail of the aircraft.”
- adverb In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing. “He tilted his head backward.”
- adverb In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. “In reverse gear the wheel turns backward.”
- adverb (figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state. “This project seems to be going backward.”
- adverb In a reversed orientation; back to front. “He had his cap on backward.”
- adverb In a reversed order or sequence. “A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.”
- adverb Toward or into the past. “As we begin the new millennium, it behoves us to look backward as well as forward.”
- adverb (obsolete) In the past.
- noun The state behind or past.
- verb (transitive, dated) To keep back, to delay, to retard.
Synonyms
hindwards rearward retrograde contrariwise mirror image switched back to front crude antediluvian antiquated backwards parachronistic anachronistic antediluvial antique archaic behind the times cobwebbed cobwebby dated half-witted slow-witted feebleminded back rearwards
Antonyms
Etymology
From Middle English bakwarde, abakward, equivalent to back (adverb) + -ward. Cognate with Old Frisian bekward (“backward”).
Webster’s 1913
- adverb With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
- adverb Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.
- adjective Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
- adjective Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
Etymology [Back, adv. + -ward.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “backward”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details