Meaning of backward in English
Table of contents
Pronunciation
/ˈbækwərd/US accent
UK accent
to browse different examples of pronunciation.Classifying Adjective
backwardDefinitions
1. retarded in intellectual developmentSynonyms
Adverb
backwardDefinitions
1. at or to or toward the back or rearExamples
- « he moved back »
- « tripped when he stepped backward »
- « she looked rearward out the window of the car »
Antonyms
- 2. in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
Examples
- « it's easy to get the 'i' and the 'e' backward in words like 'seize' and 'siege' »
- « the child put her jersey on backward »
- 3. in or to or toward a past time
Examples
- « set the clocks back an hour »
- « never look back »
- « lovers of the past looking fondly backward »
Antonyms
Qualitative Adjective
backwardEtymology
Middle English: from earlier abackward, from abackDefinitions
1. directed or facing toward the back or rearExamples
- « a backward view »
Synonyms
- backswept
- sweptback
- cacuminal
- retroflex
- converse
- reversed
- transposed
- inverse
- reverse
- negative
- rearward
- reverse
- receding(a)
- reflexive
- self-referent
- retracted
- retral
- retrograde
- retroflex
- retroflexed
- returning(a)
- reversive
- regardant(ip)
Antonyms
- 2. (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
Examples
- « a backward lover »
Synonyms
Antonyms
Famous quotes
- « The greater the step forward in knowledge, the greater is the one taken backward in search of wisdom. » Stephen Gardiner
- « During the days of segregation, there was not a place of higher learning for African Americans. They were simply not welcome in many of the traditional schools. And from this backward policy grew the network of historical black colleges and universities. » Michael N. Castle
- « Nobody gets to live life backward. Look ahead, that is where your future lies. » Ann Landers
- « At the end of the day, we must go forward with hope and not backward by fear and division. » Jesse Jackson
- « Nevertheless most of the evergreen forests of the north must always remain the home of wild animals and trappers, a backward region in which it is easy for a great fur company to maintain a practical monopoly. » Ellsworth Huntington