backward

[bak-werd]

adverb

1. toward the back or rear.

   Antonyms: forward

2. with the back foremost.

3. in the reverse of the usual or right way.

   counting backward from 100.

4. toward the past.

   to look backward over one's earlier mistakes.

5. toward a less advanced state; retrogressively.

   Since the overthrow of the president the country has moved steadily backward.

adjective

1. directed toward the back or past.

2. reversed; returning.

   a backward movement;

   a backward journey.

3. behind in time or progress; late; slow.

   a backward learner;

   a backward country.

   Synonyms: underdeveloped, retarded, tardy

4. bashful or hesitant; shy.

   a backward lover.

   Synonyms: retiring, timid, disinclined

backward

/ ˈbækwəd /

adjective

1. (usually prenominal) directed towards the rear

   a backward glance

2. retarded in physical, material, or intellectual development

   backward countries

   a backward child

3. 1. of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary

   2. ( in combination )

      backward-looking

4. reluctant or bashful

   a backward lover

5. chess (of a pawn) behind neighbouring pawns and unable to be supported by them

adverb

1. a variant of backwards

Other Word Forms

• backwardly adverb
• backwardness noun
• unbackward adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of backward¹

First recorded in 1250–1300, backward is from the Middle English word bakwarde. See back ¹, -ward

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. backward and forward, thoroughly: Also backwards and forwards.

   He knew his lesson backward and forward.

More idioms and phrases containing backward

• bend over backward
• fall over (backwards)
• know like a book (backwards and forwards)

Example Sentences

And in the AI era, in which innovation and risk are changing market dynamics at lightning speed, reducing transparency would be a step backward at exactly the wrong time.

Read more on Barron's

This should make us consider whether we are doing AI adoption backward in some cases, or using the latest technology simply because it is shiny and new.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

What he cannot allow is the backward steps to take them right back to the meat of last season, when every game felt like a defeat waiting to happen.

Read more on BBC

To learn more about Theia, the team treated the Earth-Moon system like a puzzle that could be solved backward.

Read more on Science Daily

"It has to be a given, because if you don't show up with that frame of mind you're on the backward step straight away," he added.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• bashful 
• hesitant 
• shy