1 backward
(chiefly US)
/ˈbækwɚd/
adverb
or
backwards
/ˈbækwɚdz/
1 backward
(chiefly US)
/ˈbækwɚd/
adverb
or
backwards
/ˈbækwɚdz/
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACKWARD
1
:
toward the back
:
to or toward what is behind
-
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.
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Can you skate backward?
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2
:
opposite to the usual way
:
in reverse
-
Count backward from 10.
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3
:
toward the past
-
a journey backward in time
-
The narrative moves backward and forward in time.
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4
:
to or toward a less advanced state or condition
:
toward a worse state
-
His new job, which paid less and had fewer responsibilities, felt like a step backward.
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bend over backward
or
lean over backward
also
fall over backward
:
to make a great effort to help someone or to reach agreement with someone
-
The salesman said he would bend over backward to make the deal.
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I've leaned over backward to please you—and you haven't even said thank you!
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2 backward
/ˈbækwɚd/
adjective
2 backward
/ˈbækwɚd/
adjective
Britannica Dictionary definition of BACKWARD
1
a
:
directed or turned toward the back
-
a backward glance
-
a backward baseball cap
-
a sudden backward movement
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b
:
done backward
-
a backward somersault
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2
[more backward; most backward]
:
behind others
:
not as advanced as others in learning or development
-
(old-fashioned) He was a backward pupil who struggled to keep up in school.
-
a technologically backward village that has no running water
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— backwardly
adverb
— backwardness
noun
[noncount]
-
the technological backwardness of the village
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