backward

1 of 3

adverb

back·​ward ˈbak-wərd 

variants or backwards

ˈbak-wərdz 

1

a

: toward the back or rear

She glanced backward over her shoulder.

b

: with the back foremost

Take three steps backward.

2

a

: in a reverse or contrary direction or way

Count backward from 10.

b

: toward the past

a journey backward in time

c

: toward a worse state

His new job felt like a step backward.

backward

2 of 3

adjective

1

a

: directed or turned toward the back

a backward glance

b

: done or executed backward

a backward somersault

2

: diffident, shy

I have been backward to begin my canvass.

—Edmund Burke

3

: less advanced in development or accomplishment than what is typical or expected

… said he felt the news media had given Jasper the image of a backward country town.

—Eli Rosenberg and Lindsey Bever

backwardly adverb

backwardness noun

backward

3 of 3

noun

: the part behind or past

… the dark backward … of time …

—Shakespeare

Phrases

bend over backward or lean over backward

: to make extreme efforts (as at concession)

He said he would bend over backward to make the deal.

Synonyms

Adverb

• back
• rearward
• rearwards

Adjective

• rearward
• retrograde

Examples of backward in a Sentence

Adverb

a sudden movement backward, not forward

I heard a noise behind me and glanced backward.

He pushed the throttle backward.

She took a small step backward.

a journey backward in time

The narrative moves backward and forward in time.

Adjective

a technologically backward village that has no running water

a backward turn on ice skates is hard to learn because you can't see where you're going

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb

But incredibly, when faced with threats from injury to starvation, the immortal jellyfish can reverse the process, turning the clock backward. —Brian Handwerk, Smithsonian Magazine, 11 Dec. 2024

Elliott was instantly driven backward to the ground upon snapping the ball, giving Prescott barely enough time to complete a short pass that went nowhere. —Peter Sblendorio, New York Daily News, 10 Dec. 2024

Adjective

Leaning backward usually signals feelings of dislike, dismissal, or negativity. —Carol Kinsey Goman, Ph.d., Forbes, 12 Dec. 2024

Could the company manage to introduce PS3 backward compatibility with its new device? —Joseph Epstein, Newsweek, 10 Dec. 2024

Noun

In the weeks ahead, when the pundits are debating how to interpret the latest holiday spending numbers, keep in mind that one half-step backward may be the key to sticking a soft landing. —Sanjay Datta, Fortune, 21 Dec. 2023

Then laughs from the back of the room while Paul sat with his hat on backward, chin up and a slight smirk. —Duane Rankin, The Arizona Republic, 19 Apr. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

Adverb

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1610, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing backward

• backward compatible
• backward-looking
• fall over backward
• know something backward and forward
• step backward/forward

Kids Definition

backward

1 of 2 adverb

back·​ward ˈbak-wərd 

variants or backwards

-wərdz 

1

: toward the back

look backward

2

: with the back first

ride backward

3

: opposite to the usual way : in reverse

count backward

4

: toward a worse state

backward

2 of 2 adjective

1

a

: directed or turned toward the back

a backward glance

b

: done backward

2

: shy entry 1 sense 1, bashful

3

: slow in learning or development

backward nations

backwardly adverb

backwardness noun