backward

[ bak-werd ]

/ ˈbæk wərd /

|||

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR backward ON THESAURUS.COM

adverb Also back·wards.

toward the back or rear.

with the back foremost.

in the reverse of the usual or right way: counting backward from 100.

toward the past: to look backward over one's earlier mistakes.

toward a less advanced state; retrogressively: Since the overthrow of the president the country has moved steadily backward.

adjective

directed toward the back or past.

reversed; returning: a backward movement; a backward journey.

behind in time or progress; late; slow: a backward learner; a backward country.

bashful or hesitant; shy: a backward lover.

Nearby words

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

SYNONYMS FOR backward

8. tardy; retarded, underdeveloped. 9. disinclined; timid, retiring.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR backward ON THESAURUS.COM

ANTONYMS FOR backward

1. forward.

SEE MORE ANTONYMS FOR backward ON THESAURUS.COM

Related formsback·ward·ly, adverbback·ward·ness, nounun·back·ward, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for backwards

Since bandwidth has become reasonable, paying extra for it feels like a backwards move.
Porn Fights For Your Right to Surf: Pornhub, YouPorn, and Redtube Lead Charge For Net Neutrality|Aurora Snow|September 13, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In the search for an alternative, both writers looked not forward, but backwards.
In the Future We'll All Be Renters: America's Disappearing Middle Class|Joel Kotkin|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Speaking up about this backwards philosophy is actually how she got the gig.
Who’s That ‘Bum’ Girl? The Brit Telling Americans How To Wipe Their Asses|Sara Lieberman|June 16, 2014|DAILY BEAST
People are jumping forwards and backwards, and the results are haunting and moving.The making-of-the-video is worth a watch.
Zooey Deschanel & More of the Best Music Videos of the Week (VIDEO)|Jean Trinh|May 25, 2013|DAILY BEAST

Kerry responded that Peres had it backwards: this was a matter of the parties' agency.
Kerry's Peace Push A Nothing-Burger?|Ali Gharib|May 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The distance is 670 miles, which could be performed in four days and six days, backwards and forwards.
A General Plan for a Mail Communication by Steam, Between Great Britain and the Eastern and Western Parts of the World|James M'Queen, Esq.
I cannot bend forward,' says the Devil, 'for backwards are my knees.'
Ancient Irish Poetry|Various
Quickly Florence returned the pressure, then began pulling her backwards.
The Mystery of Carlitos|Helen Randolph
Charnock struck him with his shoulder and forced him backwards by the weight of the bag.
The Girl From Keller's|Harold Bindloss
In the Scottish version there are only two girls who join hands and pull each other backwards and forwards, repeating the words.
The Traditional Games of England, Scotland, and Ireland (Vol I of II)|Alice Bertha Gomme

British Dictionary definitions for backwards

backwards

backward

/ (ˈbækwədz) /

adverb

towards the rear

with the back foremost

in the reverse of usual order or direction

to or towards the past

into a worse statethe patient was slipping backwards

towards the point of origin

bend over backwards, lean over backwards or fall over backwards informal to make a special effort, esp in order to please

know backwards informal to understand completely

backward

/ (ˈbækwəd) /

adjective

(usually prenominal) directed towards the reara backward glance

retarded in physical, material, or intellectual developmentbackward countries; a backward child

of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary
(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 Formsbackwardly, 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

Word Origin and History for backwards

backwards

adv.

1510s, from backward with adverbial genitive. Figurative phrase bend over backwards is recorded from 1901.

backward

adv.

c.1300, from abakward, from Old English on bæc (see back (adv.)) + -weard adjectival and adverbial suffix (see -ward). Old English had the adverb bæcling. As an adjective, from 1550s. Meaning "behindhand with regard to progress" is first attested 1690s. To ring bells backward (from lowest to highest), c.1500, was a signal of alarm for fire or invasion, or to express dismay. Another Middle English word for "backward, wrongly" was arseward (c.1400).

Idioms and Phrases with backwards

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)

backward

adverb Also back·wards.

adjective

RELATED CONTENT

RELATED WORDS

Nearby words

Idioms

Origin of backward

Examples from the Web for backwards

backwards

backward

adverb

backward

adjective

adverb

backwards

backward

backward