backward
/'bækwəd/
Definition
Adjective:
- Directed towards the back or rear: Facing or moving in the direction opposite to the front or the usual direction of travel.
- Less advanced than normal or expected: Having made less than normal progress, especially in economic, social, or intellectual development.
- Hesitant or reluctant: Marked by shyness, reserve, or a lack of confidence in social situations.
Adverb:
- Towards the back or rear: In the direction behind or to the rear.
- Towards the past: In or into a past time or state.
- In reverse order or manner: With the back or less usual part foremost; in a way that is the opposite of the normal or correct order.
Usage Examples
Adjective:
- She gave a backward glance over her shoulder. (She looked towards the rear.)
- The region remained backward due to a lack of investment. (The region was less developed.)
- He was too backward to ask her to dance. (He was too shy or hesitant.)
Adverb:
- He took a step backward. (He moved a step to the rear.)
- The policy was seen as a step backward for civil rights. (The policy was a regression to a worse past state.)
- You've put your sweater on backward. (You are wearing it with the back part at the front.)
Advanced Usage
- "backward and forward": thoroughly, in every detail; to and fro.
- He knew the procedure backward and forward. (He knew it completely and perfectly.)
- "bend over backward": to make a great effort, especially to be fair or helpful.
- The company bent over backward to accommodate the client's request. (The company tried extremely hard.)
Variants and Related Words
- Backwards (adverb): This is a common variant form of the adverb "backward." The two are often used interchangeably.
- He walked backwards to the door.
- Backwardness (noun): The state or quality of being backward.
- The backwardness of the infrastructure hindered growth.
Synonyms
- Adjective (rear-facing): Rearward, reverse.
- Adjective (underdeveloped): Underdeveloped, undeveloped, primitive.
- Adjective (hesitant): Shy, timid, reticent, diffident.
- Adverb (to the rear): Back, rearward, backwards.
- Adverb (in reverse): In reverse, wrong way round.
Antonyms
- Adjective: Forward, advanced, progressive, confident.
- Adverb: Forward, forwards, ahead.
Related Phrases
- Know something backward(s): To know something perfectly and completely.
- She knows the rules backward.
- A backward step: A regression or move to a worse state.
- Closing the library would be a backward step for the community.
Adjective
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having made less than normal progress
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an economically backward country
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retarded in intellectual development
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(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
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a backward lover
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directed or facing toward the back or rear
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a backward view
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Adverb
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in or to or toward a past time
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set the clocks back an hour
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never look back
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lovers of the past looking fondly backward
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in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
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it's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like `seize' and `siege'
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the child put her jersey on backward
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at or to or toward the back or rear
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he moved back
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tripped when he stepped backward
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she looked rearward out the window of the car
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