What does "behind" mean?
The rear, back-end.
Behind
/bɪˈhaɪnd/ adj, adv, noun, prep, slang
adj, adv, noun, prep, slang ·Very common ·Middle school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: The rear, back-end.
- Grammar: behind is listed as adj, adv, noun, prep, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: buttocks, posterior, rear, abaft.
- Useful contrasts: abreast, leading role, upfront.
- Usage evidence: I suppose that behind each thing we have to do, there's something we want to do...
How to use "behind"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "behind" 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 "behind" 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 "behind" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "behind" 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 "behind" is acting as adj, adv, noun, prep, slang 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 "buttocks" 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 "behind", 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 rear, back-end.
"This part fits under the behind of the vehicle."
- 2 the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on wordnet
- 3 The buttocks, bottom, butt. informal
"I was stung on the behind by a wasp."
- 4 A one-point score.
"A roar from ten thousand throats go up, For we've kicked another behind."
- 5 The catcher. slang
Show 1 more definition
- 6 In the Eton College field game, any of a group of players consisting of two "shorts" (who try to kick the ball over the bully) and a "long" (who defends the goal).
Adjective
- 1 Not advanced to the required or expected degree; overdue or in arrears.
"I'm very behind in my schedule."
- 2 Slow.
"My watch is behind by four minutes."
Adjective
- 1 having the lower score or lagging position in a contest wordnet
Adverb
- 1 At or in the rear or back part of something.
"The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind."
- 2 In a rearward direction.
"We ran and ran, without once looking behind."
- 3 So as to come after someone or something in position, distance, advancement, ranking, time, etc.
"The slower runners were left a long way behind."
- 4 So as to be still in place after someone or something has departed or ceased to exist.
"I couldn't be bothered to carry the ironing board, so I left it behind."
- 5 Backward in time or order of succession; past.
"[…] forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before"
Show 2 more definitions
- 6 Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.
"‘After the performance was over I went behind, and spoke to her.’"
- 7 Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining. archaic
"We cannot be sure that there is no evidence behind."
Adverb
- 1 in or to or toward the rear wordnet
- 2 remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from wordnet
- 3 in debt wordnet
- 4 in or into an inferior position wordnet
- 5 showing a time that is earlier than the actual time wordnet
Preposition
- 1 At or to the back or far side of.
"The children were hiding behind the wall."
- 2 At or to the back or far side of.; Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise). figuratively
"Behind the smile was a cruel intention."
- 3 At or to the back or far side of.; In the past, from the viewpoint of. figuratively
"All my problems are behind me."
- 4 Less forward or advanced than; after.; After in physical progress or distance.
"Smith finished the race a lap behind the others."
- 5 Less forward or advanced than; after.; After in developmental progress, score, grade, etc.; inferior to.
"I'm ranked sixth in the French class, behind five other pupils."
Show 5 more definitions
- 6 Less forward or advanced than; after.; After in time.
"London is nine hours behind Tokyo."
- 7 Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.
"Who is behind these terrorist attacks?"
- 8 Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.
"What is behind this unexpected decision?"
- 9 In support of.
"The republicans are fully behind their candidate."
- 10 Following, subsequent to; as a result or consequence of; because of. US, informal
"He was like, 'Fuck the police! Fuck you! You know who I am, you gonna quit playing with me, bitch.' I'm like let's go. 'Cause I wasn't trying to go to jail behind that shit."
Example
"I suppose that behind each thing we have to do, there's something we want to do..."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "behind"?
Common synonyms include: buttocks, posterior, rear, abaft, aft, after.
How do you use "behind" in a sentence?
I suppose that behind each thing we have to do, there's something we want to do...
How do you pronounce "behind"?
Pronounced /bɪˈhaɪnd/.
Etymology
From Middle English behinde, behinden, from Old English behindan (“on the back side of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihindan, *bihindini (“on the back side of, in the rear of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bi- + *hindō (“the hind side, back part”), equivalent to be- + hind. Compare Old Saxon bihindan (“behind”, adverb), Middle High German behinter (“behind; back”).