only before nounmoving or looking in the direction that is behind you
a backward glance
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
outwards
2
not developing quickly, normally, and successfully
a remote and backward region
Synonyms and related words
Describing things which are not developing well
backward
latent
dormant
2a
old-fashionedused for describing a child or student who is unable to make normal progress in learning. It is now more acceptable to say that someone has learning difficulties.
Synonyms and related words
Offensive words for people who have specific medical conditions
backward
cabbage
cripple
phrases
a backward step
derived word
backwardness
noun
Synonyms and related words
Describing things which are not developing well
backward
latent
dormant
backward
adjective
US /ˈbækwərd/
Other entries for this word
backwardadverb
backward-lookingadjective
a backward stepphrase
backward-compatibleadjective
backward and forwardphrase
a step forward/backwardphrase
know something backward and forwardphrase
bend over backward (to do something)phrase
a step backwardphrase at a backward step
backward compatibilitynoun at backward-compatibleadjective
DEFINITIONS2
1
only before nounmoving or looking in the direction that is behind you
a backward glance
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
around
2
not developing quickly, normally, and successfully
a remote and backward region
Synonyms and related words
Describing things which are not developing well
backward
latent
dormant
2a
old-fashionedan offensive word for someone who is unable to make normal progress in learning. It is more polite to say that someone has learning disabilities.
Synonyms and related words
Offensive words for people who have specific medical conditions
backward
cabbage
cripple
phrases
a backward step
derived word
backwardness
noun
Synonyms and related words
Describing things which are not developing well
backward
latent
dormant
backward
adverbAmerican
UK /ˈbækwə(r)d/
Other entries for this word
backwardadjective
backward-lookingadjective
a backward stepphrase
a step backwardphrase at a backward step
DEFINITIONS1
1
backwards
backward
adverb
US /ˈbækwərd/
Other entries for this word
backwardadjective
backward-lookingadjective
a backward stepphrase
backward-compatibleadjective
backward and forwardphrase
a step forward/backwardphrase
know something backward and forwardphrase
bend over backward (to do something)phrase
a step backwardphrase at a backward step
backward compatibilitynoun at backward-compatibleadjective
DEFINITIONS3
1
in the direction that is behind you
He was thrown backward by the force of the explosion.
I glanced backward over my shoulder to see if anyone was following me.
a carrolling backward down a hill
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
around
2
in the opposite way or order from usual
Count backward from ten to one.
Let’s work backward through all the steps in the process so we can see where we went wrong.
Synonyms and related words
Describing movement away and changes of direction
away
backward
around
2a
with the back part in front
Your shirt is on backward.
Synonyms and related words
Upside down and inverted
upside down
the right/wrong/other way (around/up)
back to front
3
toward a time in the past
It’s only by looking backward that we can understand how these rivalriesdeveloped.
Synonyms and related words
Existing, happening in or relating to a time in the past
past
ago
before
3a
not progressing but changing back to a former worse state
With these new, weakerpollutioncontrols, the Administration seems to be moving backward.