backhand

[ bak-hand ]

noun

1. a stroke, slap, etc., made with the palm of the hand turned toward the body and the back of the hand turned in the direction of the stroke, slap, etc.
2. (in tennis, squash, etc.) a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.
3. handwriting that slopes toward the left.

adjective

1. backhanded.
2. (in tennis, squash, etc.) of, relating to, or noting a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc. Compare forehand ( def 1 ).

adverb

1. with the back of the hand:

   He hit him backhand across the face.

2. from across the body; backhanded:

   She returned the ball backhand on the first serve.

verb (used with object)

1. to strike with the back of the hand.
2. to hit, produce, or accomplish with a backhand.
3. to catch (a ball or the like) backhanded.

backhand

/ ˈbækˌhænd /

noun

1. sport
   1. a stroke made across the body with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke
   2. ( as modifier )

      a backhand return

2. the side on which backhand strokes are made
3. handwriting slanting to the left

adverb

1. with a backhand stroke

verb

1. sport to play (a shot) backhand

Word History and Origins

Origin of backhand¹

First recorded in 1650–60; back ² + hand

Example Sentences

He unleashed a 129-miles-per-hour rocket that could only backhand into the net.

From Time

Aim and release from your hand the way you might backhand a frisbee, but put some spin on it with your forefinger and watch your stone skippity-skip, once, twice or thrice across the water!

From Ozy

Wilson beat Ullmark with a slick backhand shot, and his shorthanded goal in the second period held up as the eventual game-winner in the Capitals’ 3-1 victory.

From Washington Post

I think he has one of the best backhands I have seen from an American in a long time.

From Washington Post

Tsitsipas closed the victory on his third match point, with a backhand winner down the line.

From Washington Post

There are three full-time tennis aces on site who are more than happy to improve your backhand or perfect that serve.

From The Daily Beast

From the moment he caught sight of her, he did not turn or take his eyes and face from her, defending himself with backhand blows.

From Project Gutenberg

I would suggest that we go through the forehand and backhand strokes to make certain that we are right.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the detectives took the woman by the arm; she jerked it loose and aimed a backhand slap at him.

From Project Gutenberg

In forehand play the bowl as it courses to the jack describes its segment of a circle on the right, in backhand play on the left.

From Project Gutenberg

The first blow, aimed backhand at his bare right leg, struck his shield instead.

From Project Gutenberg