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

And they would play every second, as evidenced by the first-quarter, buzzer-beating trey by Rice as she tumbled backward to give them a 21-10 lead.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 5, 2026

By tracing its path backward over billions of years, they determined that the star originated in the Large Magellanic Cloud before eventually being pulled into the Milky Way.

From Science Daily • Apr. 4, 2026

Its legs angle backward like an ostrich’s, increasing its stability and lifting power.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 15, 2026

But you can’t make money by looking backward.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 13, 2026

A young woman walked backward at the head of them, waving everyone forward.

From "Boy 2.0" by Tracey Baptiste

Related Words

• bashful
• hesitant
• shy