backward
IPA: bˈækwɝd
noun
- The state behind or past.
adjective
- Situated toward or at the rear of something.
- Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing.
- Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
- (figuratively) Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress.
- Reversed in order or sequence.
- Reluctant or unable to advance or act.
- (figuratively) Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated.
- (figuratively) Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.
- Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated.
- Late or behindhand.
- (chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
- (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
- (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
- (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
- (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.
adverb
- At, near or towards the rear of something.
- In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
- In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
- (figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state.
- In a reversed orientation; back to front.
- In a reversed order or sequence.
- Toward or into the past.
- (obsolete) In the past.
- By way of reflection; reflexively.
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Examples of "backward" in Sentences
- They walked backward.
- He can pronounce words, backwards.
- The approach to the issue is backwards.
- The main concern was the backward compatibility.
- A reactionary is a somnambulist walking backwards.
- The beats of the melody are shifted backwards once.
- Most of the area of the province of Sindh was backward.
- The parameters work the same for backwards compatibility.
- The direction of the magnetic fields in the picture are backwards.
- The crest of the male was directed forwards, the crest of the female backwards.