Definition of backward Backward

/bæˈkwɚd/ - [bakwerd] - back•ward

We found 28 definitions of backward from 6 different sources.

What does backward mean?

WordNet

Adjective backward, backwarder, backwardest
backward - directed or facing toward the back or rear; "a backward view"
		forward at or near or directed toward the front; "the forward section of the aircraft"; "a forward plunge down the stairs"; "forward motion"
		regressive opposing progress; returning to a former less advanced state
		retrospective concerned with or related to the past; "retrospective self-justification"
		backswept, sweptback used of hair
		cacuminal, retroflex pronounced with the tip of the tongue turned back toward the hard palate
		transposed, converse, reversed turned about in order or relation; "transposed letters"
		inverse, reverse reversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
		rearward, reverse directed or moving toward the rear; "a rearward glance"; "a rearward movement"
		receding (of a hairline e.g.) moving slowly back
		self-referent, reflexive referring back to itself
		regardant looking backward
		retracted drawn back and in; "a cat with retracted claws"
		retral, retrograde at or near or toward the posterior
		retroflexed, retroflex bent or curved backward
backward - retarded in intellectual development
		half-witted, slow-witted, feebleminded
		retarded relatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development; "providing a secure and sometimes happy life for the retarded"
		archaicism, archaism the use of an archaic expression
backward - (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature; "a backward lover"
		forward at or near or directed toward the front; "the forward section of the aircraft"; "a forward plunge down the stairs"; "forward motion"
		timid showing fear and lack of confidence
backward - having made less than normal progress; "an economically backward country"
Adverb
backward - 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"
		backwards
backward - in or to or toward a past time; "set the clocks back an hour"; "never look back"; "lovers of the past looking fondly backward"
		back
		forward, ahead at or to or toward the front; "he faced forward"; "step forward"; "she practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine"; (`forrad' and `forrard' are dialectal variations)
backward - at or to or toward the back or rear; "he moved back"; "tripped when he stepped backward"; "she looked rearward out the window of the car"
		back, backwards, rearward, rearwards

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Wiktionary

backward (Noun)
The state behind or past.
backward (Adverb)
In the direction towards the back; backwards.
backward (Adjective)
Pertaining to the direction towards the back.
backward (Adjective)
Pertaining to the direction reverse of normal.
backward (Adjective)
Reluctant or unable to advance.
backward (Adjective)
Of a culture considered undeveloped or unsophisticated.
backward (Adjective)
Pertaining to a thought or value that is considered outdated.
backward (Adjective)
On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease .
backward (Adjective)
Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.

Webster DictionaryWebster's Unabridged Dictionary 📘

backward (adv.)
Alt. of Backwards
backward (a.)
Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
backward (a.)
Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
backward (a.)
Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.
backward (a.)
Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
backward (a.)
Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.
backward (a.)
Already past or gone; bygone.
backward (n.)
The state behind or past.
backward (v. i.)
To keep back; to hinder.

OmegaWiki DictionaryOmegaWiki Dictionary Ω

backward
In a backward direction.

Chambers DictionaryChamber's 20th Century Dictionary 📕

backward
bak′ward, adv. towards the back: on the back: towards the past: from a better to a worse state: in a direction opposite to the normal—also Back′wards.—adj. Back′ward, keeping back: unwilling: slow: late: dull or stupid.—n. the past portion of time.—n. Back′wardation, percentage paid by a seller of stock for keeping back its delivery till the following account.—adv. Back′wardly.—n. Back′wardness.—Backward and forward, to and fro.—To ring bells backward, to ring them, beginning with the bass bell, in order to give tidings of dismay. [Back, and affix Ward, Wards, in the direction of.]