What does "backward" mean?
The state behind or past.
Backward
/ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/ adj, adv, noun, verb
adj, adv, noun, verb ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The state behind or past.
- Grammar: backward is listed as adj, adv, noun, verb.
- Nearest alternatives: a priori, a rebours, a reculons, aback.
- Useful contrasts: advanced, advanced civilization, ahead.
- Usage evidence: Social conditions are going backward rather than forward.
How to use "backward"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "backward" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "backward" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "backward" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "backward" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "backward" is acting as adj, adv, noun, verb in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "a priori" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "backward", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 The state behind or past.
"In the dark backward and abysm of time."
Verb
- 1 To keep back, to delay, to retard. dated, transitive
Adjective
- 1 Indicating position or direction.; Situated toward or at the rear of something.
"The silt collects in the backward part of the tank."
- 2 Indicating position or direction.; Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing.
"a backward tilt of the head"
- 3 Indicating position or direction.; Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
"The occasional apparent backward movement of planets is evidence that they revolve around the sun."
- 4 Indicating position or direction.; Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress. figuratively
"This is a backward step for the country."
- 5 Indicating position or direction.; Reversed in order or sequence.
"This backward writing is hard to read."
Show 11 more definitions
- 6 Expressing lack of development or advancement.; Retarded in development; not as advanced as would be expected. figuratively
"The child is backward in his school work."
- 7 Expressing lack of development or advancement.; Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated. figuratively
"They were a backward people without any writing."
- 8 Expressing lack of development or advancement.; Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning. figuratively
"a backward child"
- 9 Expressing lack of development or advancement.; Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated. figuratively
"The party’s ideas and policies are very backward."
- 10 Expressing lack of development or advancement.; Late or behindhand. figuratively
"a backward season"
- 11 Reluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy. often
"She certainly isn’t backward in coming forward!"
- 12 Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
- 13 On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
- 14 Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
- 15 Unwilling; averse; reluctant. obsolete
"For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves."
- 16 Already past or gone; bygone. obsolete
"The soul forgets her schemes of Hope and Pride, / and flies unconscious o'er each backward year."
Adjective
- 1 directed or facing toward the back or rear wordnet
- 2 (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature wordnet
- 3 having made less than normal progress wordnet
- 4 retarded in intellectual development wordnet
Adverb
- 1 At, near or towards the rear of something.
"The passenger turned around and walked backward, towards the tail of the aircraft."
- 2 In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
"He tilted his head backward."
- 3 In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
"In reverse gear the wheel turns backward."
- 4 Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state. figuratively
"This project seems to be going backward."
- 5 In a reversed orientation; back to front.
"He had his cap on backward."
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 In a reversed order or sequence.
"A palindrome reads the same backward as forward."
- 7 Toward or into the past.
"As we begin the new millennium, it behoves us to look backward as well as forward."
- 8 In the past. obsolete
- 9 By way of reflection; reflexively.
"the Mind can backward caſt Upon herself, her understanding Light"
Adverb
- 1 in or to or toward a past time wordnet
- 2 at or to or toward the back or rear wordnet
- 3 in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal wordnet
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Social conditions are going backward rather than forward."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "backward"?
Common synonyms include: a priori, a rebours, a reculons, aback, about, afraid.
How do you use "backward" in a sentence?
Social conditions are going backward rather than forward.
How do you pronounce "backward"?
Pronounced /ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/.
Etymology
From Middle English bakwarde, abakward, equivalent to back (adverb) + -ward. Cognate with Old Frisian bekward (“backward”).