backhand

American  

[bak-hand] / ˈbækˌhænd /

noun

1. a stroke, slap, etc., made with the palm of the hand turned toward the body and the back of the hand turned in the direction of the stroke, slap, etc.

2. (in tennis, squash, etc.) a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.

3. handwriting that slopes toward the left.

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adjective

1. backhanded.

2. (in tennis, squash, etc.) of, relating to, or noting a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.

adverb

1. with the back of the hand.

   He hit him backhand across the face.

2. from across the body; backhanded.

   She returned the ball backhand on the first serve.

verb (used with object)

backhands, present (3rd person singular) backhanded, past participle, past backhanding present participle

1. to strike with the back of the hand.

2. to hit, produce, or accomplish with a backhand.

3. to catch (a ball or the like) backhanded.

backhand British  

/ ˈbækˌhænd /

noun

1. sport

   1. a stroke made across the body with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke

   2. ( as modifier )

      a backhand return

2. the side on which backhand strokes are made

3. handwriting slanting to the left

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adverb

1. with a backhand stroke

verb

1. sport to play (a shot) backhand

Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have backhanded
  perfect
• has backhanded
  perfect 3rd person singular
• is backhanding
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been backhanding
  perfect progressive
• are backhanding
  progressive
• am backhanding
  progressive 1st person singular
• has been backhanding
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• backhands
  singular 3rd person
• backhanding
  participle

Past

• had backhanded
  perfect
• were backhanding
  progressive plural
• was backhanding
  progressive singular
• had been backhanding
  perfect progressive
• backhanded
  participle
• backhanded
  simple

Future

• will backhand
  simple
• will have backhanded
  perfect
• will have been backhanding
  perfect progressive
• will be backhanding
  progressive

Etymology

Origin of backhand

First recorded in 1650–60; back ² + hand

Explanation

A backhand is when you hit a ball with a racket or paddle with your arm across your body and the back of your hand facing the ball. Some tennis players find it challenging to hit a backhand. You can use the word backhand as a noun or an adjective, to describe a stroke in tennis, squash, or any other sport that involves a racket. When backhand is a verb, it can mean to hit the ball this way, but it more often means to hit or slap someone with the back of your hand. The tennis stroke meaning has been around since the 1650s.

Example Sentences

After unleashing a superb backhand winner from an acute angle off the court, she broke into a broad grin and spread her arms out in a gesture that suggested she was surprising even herself.

From Barron's • Jun. 9, 2026

If the single-handed backhand has been Wawrinka's signature shot, then this was his signature match.

From BBC • May 25, 2026

Carlsson, left all alone on the right side, doubled the advantage with his fourth goal of the playoffs at 13:24 of the third period, redirecting in a backhand pass from Troy Terry.

From Los Angeles Times • May 7, 2026

A thumping forehand and a long backhand from his opponent was enough to help the Briton wrap up victory in only 61 minutes.

From BBC • Feb. 5, 2026

But he couldn’t reach up to its backhand so he tried the sea horse.

From "The Thief Lord" by Cornelia Funke