backward

/ˈbækwərd/

/ˈbækwəd/

Other forms: backwardly

Backward means "toward the rear" or "behind." It’s the opposite of forward. If you stop peddling your bike on a hill, you’ll start rolling backward. If you count backward from 10 to 1, you probably just hypnotized someone.

When you go backward, you move in reverse. You might give a backward glance at a person as you walk away. Backward also means "slow," or "behind the times," as in a backward government that doesn't allow girls to go to school. If you wear your clothes backward, then you’re dressing like Kris Kross, the hip-hop duo from the 90s. The Old English roots are on bæc, "back," and -weard, "toward." Backwards (with an “s”) is primarily British usage.

Definitions of backward

1. adverb

   at or to or toward the back or rear
   “tripped when he stepped backward”

   synonyms: back, backwards, rearward, rearwards

   antonyms:

   forward

   at or to or toward the front
2. adverb

   in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
   “it's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like `seize' and `siege'”

   “the child put her jersey on backward”

   synonyms: backwards
3. adverb

   in or to or toward a past time
   synonyms: back

   antonyms:

   forward

   toward the future; forward in time
4. adjective

   directed or facing toward the back or rear
   “a backward view”

   synonyms:

   backswept, sweptback

   used of hair

   cacuminal, retroflex

   pronounced with the tip of the tongue turned back toward the hard palate

   converse, reversed, transposed

   turned about in order or relation

   inverse, reverse

   reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect

   rearward, reverse

   directed or moving toward the rear

   receding

   (of a hairline e.g.) moving slowly back

   reflexive, self-referent

   referring back to itself

   regardant

   looking backward

   retracted

   drawn back and in

   retral, retrograde

   moving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction

   retroflex, retroflexed

   bent or curved backward

   returning, reversive

   tending to be turned back

   regressive

   opposing progress; returning to a former less advanced state

   retrospective

   concerned with or related to the past

   antonyms:

   forward

   at or near or directed toward the front

   full-face, gardant, guardant

   looking forward

   headfirst, headlong

   with the head foremost

   fore

   situated at or toward the bow of a vessel

   progressive

   favoring or promoting progress
5. adjective

   having made less than normal progress
   “an economically backward country”

   synonyms:

   adynamic, undynamic

   characterized by an absence of force or forcefulness
6. adjective

   delayed or behind in intellectual development
   synonyms: feebleminded, half-witted, slow-witted
7. adjective

   (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
   synonyms:

   bashful, blate

   disposed to avoid notice

   timid

   showing fear and lack of confidence

   antonyms:

   forward

   used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty

   brash, cheeky, nervy

   offensively bold

   bumptious, self-assertive

   offensively self-assertive

   overfamiliar

   taking undue liberties

   fresh, impertinent, impudent, overbold, sassy, saucy, smart, wise

   improperly forward or bold

   assuming, assumptive, presumptuous

   excessively forward

   bold

   fearless and daring