aback
Americanadverb
-
toward the back.
-
Nautical. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.
adjective
-
(of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
-
(of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.
idioms
adverb
-
-
startled or disconcerted
-
nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion
-
-
rare towards the back; backwards
Etymology
Origin of aback
First recorded before 1000; Middle English abak, Old English on bæc “to the rear”; see a- 1, on, back 1
Explanation
To be taken aback is to be taken by surprise. You might be taken aback when your grandmother suddenly demonstrates her yodeling skills. When you see the adverb aback, it almost always follows the verb "to take." When you're taken aback, you're startled, often by another person's actions. If someone makes a rude comment at a dinner party, for example, you'll be taken aback. The word dates from about 1200, and it comes from the Old English on bæc, "at or on the back." It was first used as a nautical term for a strong wind flattening the sail against the ship's mast.
Vocabulary lists containing aback
The Diary of Anne Frank
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Just Mercy
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
He described how he was taken aback when he had an uninterrupted view of it at the top of stairs at the start of the exhibition.
From BBC ● Sep. 10, 2026
I still remember being completely taken aback by how good the food was.
From Salon ● Sep. 8, 2026
He talked about meeting Curry at the Roxy when they were bringing the show to the U.S. and how taken aback he was to see him in character.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 26, 2026
An invitation brings a smile to your face, but the fact that you were taken aback by the sender of the invite created just enough friction in the process to give you pause.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 4, 2026
The Friedmans were especially taken aback by the traffic.
From "The Woman All Spies Fear" by Amy Butler Greenfield
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
