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backward
[ bak-werd ]
adverb
- toward the back or rear.
Antonyms: forward
- 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.
Synonyms: underdeveloped, retarded, tardy
- bashful or hesitant; shy:
a backward lover.
Synonyms: retiring, timid, disinclined
backward
/ ˈbækwəd /
adjective
- usually prenominal directed towards the rear
a backward glance
- retarded in physical, material, or intellectual development
a backward child
backward countries
- of or relating to the past; conservative or reactionary
- ( in combination )
backward-looking
- reluctant or bashful
a backward lover
- chess (of a pawn) behind neighbouring pawns and unable to be supported by them
adverb
- a variant of backwards
Derived Forms
- ˈbackwardly, adverb
- ˈbackwardness, noun
Other Words From
- back·ward·ly adverb
- back·ward·ness noun
- un·back·ward adjective
Word History and Origins
Idioms and Phrases
- backward and forward, thoroughly: Also backwards and forwards.
He knew his lesson backward and forward.
More idioms and phrases containing backward
In addition to the idiom beginning with backward , also see bend over backward ; fall over (backwards) ; know like a book (backwards and forwards) .Advertisement
Related Words
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
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