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

   backward countries

   a backward child

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

Other Word Forms

• backwardly adverb
• backwardness noun
• unbackward 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

• bend over backward
• fall over (backwards)
• know like a book (backwards and forwards)

Example Sentences

They literally want to move the country backward and cause destruction; why else would government agencies dismantle cyber defenses?

From Salon

Nonetheless, the majority bent over backward to exclude the Fed from its ruling, previewing the court’s concern with maintaining fiscal autonomy.

From Salon

"Around the world countries have been recognising the importance of space by setting up national space agencies, and for the government to be scrapping ours seems like a backward step," he said.

From BBC

I took one step backward and waited as my phone took the picture.

From Salon

But, back to close to her best, the highlight of this innings was a reverse sweep lifted over backward point.

From BBC

Related Words

• bashful 
• hesitant 
• shy