backward

[ bak-werd ]

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.

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

backward

/ ˈbækwəd /

adjective

1. usually prenominal directed towards the rear

   a backward glance

2. retarded in physical, material, or intellectual development

   a backward child

   backward countries

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

adverb

1. 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

Origin of backward¹

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

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. 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) .

Example Sentences

"The path forward and the path backward are often not the same," said Kooloth.

From Science Daily

By first analyzing the common characteristics of biodiverse areas, they were able to work backward to uncover the processes that promoted biodiversity and the social structures which would allow those processes to occur.

From Science Daily

They said he pepper-sprayed one police officer and bashed another so violently with a metal crutch that it cracked the officer’s gas mask and caused him to fall backward.

From Los Angeles Times

Because when he’s gotten chances, like the one in front of him with the Lakers, he doesn’t move backward.

From Los Angeles Times

The WTA said it is "comfortable" in its decision but legendary players Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert said taking the end-of-year event to Saudi was a "significant step backward" for women’s sport.

From BBC

Related Words

• toward the rear