backward

American  

[bak-werd] / ˈbæk wərd /

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.

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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

idioms

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

   He knew his lesson backward and forward.

backward British  

/ 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

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adverb

1. a variant of backwards

backward More Idioms  

More idioms and phrases containing backward

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

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Other Word Forms

• backwardly adverb
• backwardness noun
• unbackward adjective

Etymology

Origin of backward

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

Example Sentences

Having dropped Maxwell in the previous over, Nissanka more than made up for it with a brilliant flying catch at backward point to send back the Australia all-rounder, who had looked dangerous.

From BBC

“To run an AI model effectively on a smartphone or PC, you generally need richer memory configuration. Now with these pricing pressures, it’s pushing the industry backward in having to downgrade,” said Ma.

From The Wall Street Journal

“Projections are what they are. They’re always right looking backward,” he said.

From Barron's

He staggered backward, pulling one wet and muddy leg from the treacherous ground into which it had plunged.

From Literature

He closed his eyes and counted backward from ten, out of habit.

From Literature

Related Words

• bashful
• hesitant
• shy