behind
- at or toward the rear of: Look behind the house.
- not keeping up with, later than; after: behind schedule.
- in the state of making less progress than: We can't afford to fall behind our competitors.
- on the farther side of; beyond: behind the mountain.
- originating, supporting, or promoting: Who's behind this program?
- hidden or unrevealed by: Malice lay behind her smile.
- at the controls of: behind the wheel of a car.
- at or toward the rear; rearward: to lag behind.
- in a place, state, or stage already passed.
- in arrears; behindhand: to be behind in one's rent.
- slow, as a watch or clock: more than 20 minutes behind.
- as a cause or often latent feature of: Behind their harassment lay the traditional fear of foreigners.
- in a situation that exists afterward: The victim left behind a large family.
- Archaic. in reserve; to come: Greater support is yet behind.
- following: the man behind.
- Informal. the buttocks.
Origin of behind
Synonym study
Usage note
Related Words for behind
trailing, laggard, slow, behindhand, bottom, backside, posterior, seat, tail, tush, can, fundament, rump, fanny, rear, breech, causing, backing, supporting, abaftExamples from the Web for behind
Contemporary Examples of behind
Prosecutors wanted him to spend at least 10 years behind bars.
He later accepted a plea deal that put him behind bars for 25 years.
He finished second in 2008 behind John McCain, and maintains a reservoir of good will among Republican social conservatives.
American spies have detailed dossiers on the North Koreans who the U.S. says were behind the Sony attack.
Finally, he takes us behind the scenes into how Obama came out in favor of marriage equality that same year.
Historical Examples of behind
But nevertheless he could not leave it behind since it was for this he had incurred his present peril.
Brave and BoldHoratio Alger
Then they heard fresh howls and yells in front as well as behind.
The Armourer's PrenticesCharlotte M. Yonge
Or else, in some barroom, a footfall from behind and a bullet through the back.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
It seems to be the vice of those who have a long past behind them.
The New Adam and Eve (From "Mosses From An Old Manse")Nathaniel Hawthorne
Charles Merchant, the son of rich John Merchant, was behind the wheel.
Way of the LawlessMax Brand
behind
- in or to a position further back than; at the rear of; at the back of
- in the past in relation toI've got the exams behind me now
- late according to; not keeping up withrunning behind schedule
- concerning the circumstances surroundingthe reasons behind his departure
- backing or supportingI'm right behind you in your application
- in or to a position further back; following
- remaining after someone's departurehe left it behind
- in debt; in arrearsto fall behind with payments
- (postpositive) in a position further back; retardedthe man behind prodded me
- informal the buttocks
- Australian rules football a score of one point made by kicking the ball over the behind line between a goalpost and one of the smaller outer posts (behind posts)
Word Origin for behind
Word Origin and History for behind
Old English behindan "behind, after," from bi "by" + hindan "from behind" (see hind (adj.)). The prepositional sense emerged in Old English. Euphemistic noun meaning "backside of a person" is from 1786. Phrase behind the times is from 1905. Behind the scenes (1711) is from the theater; figurative sense attested by 1779.
Idioms and Phrases with behind
behind
In addition to the idioms beginning with behind
- behind bars
- behind closed doors
- behind in
- behind someone's back
- behind the eight ball
- behind the scenes
- behind the times
- behind time
also see:
- come from behind
- drop behind
- fall behind
- get behind
- power behind the throne
- put behind one
- wet behind the ears
- with one arm tied behind one's back