definitions

backward

[ bak-werd ]
/ ˈbæk wərd /
||
SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR backward ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb Also back·wards.

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

“Spring Forward, Fall Back” And Other Memory Tricks You’ve Probably ForgottenMnemonics (named after the Greek goddess of memory) are tricky little linguistic devices used to remember something ... and great mnemonics never go out of fashion. Let's take a look at a few.
READ MORE
andRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

RELATED WORDS

seesaw, zigzag

Nearby words

backsword, backswordman, backtrack, backup, backup light, backward, backward and forward, backward heart failure, backwardation, backwards, backwash

Idioms

    backward and forward, thoroughly: He knew his lesson backward and forward.Also backwards and forwards.

Origin of backward

First recorded in 1250–1300, backward is from the Middle English word bakwarde. See back1, -ward

Related forms

back·ward·ly, adverbback·ward·ness, nounun·back·ward, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

British Dictionary definitions for backward and forward

backward

/ (ˈbækwəd) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) directed towards the reara backward glance
retarded in physical, material, or intellectual developmentbackward countries; a backward child
  1. of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary
  2. (in combination)backward-looking
reluctant or bashfula backward lover
chess (of a pawn) behind neighbouring pawns and unable to be supported by them

adverb

a variant of backwards

Derived Forms

backwardly, adverbbackwardness, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Idioms and Phrases with backward and forward (1 of 2)

backward and forward

Also, backwards and forwards.

1

Same as back and forth.

2

Thoroughly, completely, as in He read the speech over and over, until he knew it backwards and forwards. [Late 1500s]

Idioms and Phrases with backward and forward (2 of 2)

backward

In addition to the idiom beginning with backward

  • backward and forward

also see:

  • bend over backward
  • fall over (backwards)
  • know like a book (backwards and forwards)
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.