Backward Definition
băkwərd
backwards
adjective
Directed or facing toward the back or rear.
American Heritage
Turned or directed toward the rear or in the opposite way.
Webster's New World
Done or arranged in a manner or order that is opposite to previous occurrence or normal use.
American Heritage
Hesitant, bashful, or shy, as in meeting people.
Webster's New World
Unwilling to act; reluctant; shy.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
- forward
- ahead
- to the front
- smart
- intelligent
- fast
- developing
- aggressive
- precocious
- unshy
adverb
To or toward the back or rear.
American Heritage
Toward the back or rear; behind.
Webster's New World
With the back leading.
American Heritage
With the back or rear foremost.
Webster's New World
In a reverse manner or order.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
noun
The state behind or past.
Wiktionary
idiom
bend over backward
- to try to an unusual degree (to please, pacify, etc.)
- to attempt to compensate, as for one's own bias, tendency, etc., with an extreme effort in the opposite direction
Webster's New World
Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Backward
- bend over backward
Origin of Backward
-
From Old English abakward (from on bæc + -weard). back + -ward
From Wiktionary
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