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backward - 8 dictionary results
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back⋅ward

  [bak-werd]
Use backward in a Sentence
–adverb Also, backwards.
1. toward the back or rear.
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
6. directed toward the back or past.
7. reversed; returning: a backward movement; a backward journey.
8. behind in time or progress; late; slow: a backward learner; a backward country.
9. bashful or hesitant; shy: a backward lover.
—Idiom
10. backward and forward, thoroughly: He knew his lesson backward and forward. Also, backwards and forwards.
Origin:
1250–1300; ME bakwarde. See back 1 , -ward

Related forms:
back⋅ward⋅ly, adverb
back⋅ward⋅ness, noun

Synonyms:
8. tardy; retarded, underdeveloped. 9. disinclined; timid, retiring.

Antonyms:
1. forward.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To backward
back·ward   (bāk'wərd)   
adj.  
  1. Directed or facing toward the back or rear.
  2. Done or arranged in a manner or order that is opposite to previous occurrence or normal use.
  3. Unwilling to act; reluctant; shy.
  4. Behind others in progress or development: The technology was backward, but the system worked.
adv.   or back·wards (-wərdz)
  1. To or toward the back or rear.
  2. With the back leading.
  3. In a reverse manner or order.
  4. To, toward, or into the past.
  5. Toward a worse or less advanced condition.
back'ward·ly adv., back'ward·ness n.
Usage Note: The adverb may be spelled backward or backwards, and these forms are interchangeable: stepped backward; a mirror facing backwards. In Standard English, however, the adjective has no -s: a backward view.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Backward

Back"ward\, Backwards \Back"wards\, adv. [Back, adv. + -ward.]

1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.

3. On the back, or with the back downward.

Thou wilt fall backward. --Shak.

4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

Some reigns backward. --Locke.

5. By way of reflection; reflexively. --Sir J. Davies.

6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

The work went backward. --Dryden.

7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.

We might have . . . beat them backward home. --Shak.

Backward

Back"ward\, a. 1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.

2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.

For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. --Pope.

3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." --South.

4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.

5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.

6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.]

And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. --Byron.

Backward

Back"ward\, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.]

In the dark backward and abysm of time. --Shak.

Backward

Back"ward\, v. i. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Language Translation for : backward
Spanish: hacia atrás,
German: zurück,
Japanese: 後方への
More Translations »

backward 
c.1300, from abakward, from O.E. on bæc + -weard adj./adv. suffix. Backwards, with adverbial genitive, is from 1513. Meaning "behindhand with regard to progress" is first attested 1693. To ring bells backward (from lowest to highest), c.1500, was a signal of alarm for fire or invasion, or to express dismay.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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backward

In addition to the idiom beginning with backward, also see bend over backward; fall over (backwards); know like a book (backwards and forwards).

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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