backward

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English bakwarde, abakward, equivalent to back (adverb) +‎ -ward. Cognate with Old Frisian bekward (“backward”). === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/ (US) enPR: băk'wərd, IPA(key): /ˈbækwɚd/ === Adjective === backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward) Indicating position or direction. Situated toward or at the rear of something. Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing. Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. Synonym: retrograde (figuratively) Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress. Reversed in order or sequence. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement. Retarded in development; not as advanced as would be expected. Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated. Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning. Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated. Synonyms: antediluvian, antiquated, backwards, parachronistic, retrograde; see also Thesaurus:obsolete Antonym: progressive Late or behindhand. Synonyms: overdue, tardy; see also Thesaurus:overdue (often in negative constructions) Reluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy. (chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely. (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease. (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else. (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant. (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone. Synonyms: forepast, historical; see also Thesaurus:past ==== Usage notes ==== Backwards is possible as a synonym for most senses, both adjectival and adverbial. Strictly speaking, in British English backward is an adjective and backwards is an adverb: It was a backward move vs He moved backwards In American English, the rule may be reversed, and in written American English, backward is more common for the adverb. This follows the same usage for similar words ending in -ward/-wards and -way/-ways. See also -wise. Only the -ward forms are commonly used in combination with an adjective, e.g.: A backward-facing statue. ==== Synonyms ==== (toward the back): hindwards, rearward, retrograde (in the opposite direction of usual): contrariwise, reversedly; See also Thesaurus:contrarily (so that the back precedes the front): back to front, in reverse; See also Thesaurus:back to front ==== Synonyms ==== (reversed): mirror image, switched, back to front (undeveloped): crude, dated, obsolete, primitive; see also Thesaurus:obsolete ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Adverb === backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward) At, near or towards the rear of something. In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing. In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. (figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state. In a reversed orientation; back to front. In a reversed order or sequence. Toward or into the past. (obsolete) In the past. By way of reflection; reflexively. (Can we add an example for this sense?) ==== Usage notes ==== See notes under adjective sense. ==== Antonyms ==== forward, forwards ==== Translations ==== === Noun === backward The state behind or past. === Verb === backward (third-person singular simple present backwards, present participle backwarding, simple past and past participle backwarded) (transitive, dated) To keep back, to delay, to retard. ==== Translations ==== === Related terms === backwards === References === “backward”, in OneLook Dictionary Search. William Dwight Whitney, Benjamin E[li] Smith, editors (1911), “backward”, in The Century Dictionary […], New York, N.Y.: The Century Co., →OCLC. === Anagrams === draw back, drawback, drawkcab