BACKWARD

backward

(adjective) directed or facing toward the back or rear; “a backward view”

backward

(adjective) (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature; “a backward lover”

backward

(adjective) having made less than normal progress; “an economically backward country”

backward, half-witted, slow-witted, feebleminded

(adjective) retarded in intellectual development

back, backward

(adverb) 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, backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards

(adverb) 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”

backward, backwards

(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”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Adjective

backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward)

(of motion) In the direction towards the back.

(of motion) In the direction reverse of normal.

Synonym: retrograde

Reluctant or unable to advance.

Of a culture: undeveloped or unsophisticated.

Synonyms: developing, Third World

Antonyms: developed, First World, forward

Outdated.

Synonyms: antediluvian, antiquated, backwards, parachronistic, retrograde, Thesaurus:obsolete

Antonym: progressive

(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.

Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

Late or behindhand.

Synonyms: overdue, tardy, Thesaurus:overdue

(obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.

Synonyms: forepast, historical, Thesaurus:past

Adverb

backward (comparative more backward, superlative most backward)

(of motion) In the direction towards the back; backwards

Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

By way of reflection; reflexively.

From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

Synonyms

• backwards

Antonyms

• forward, forwards

Noun

backward

The state behind or past.

Anagrams

• draw back, drawback

Source: Wiktionary

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Back"ward, Back"wards, adv. Etym: [Back, adv. + -ward.]

1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.

2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.

3. On the back, or with the back downward. Thou wilt fall backward. Shak.

4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. Some reigns backward. Locke.

5. By way of reflection; reflexively. Sir J. Davies.

6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. The work went backward. Dryden.

7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. We might have . . . beat them backward home. Shak.

Back"ward, a.

1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.

2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. Pope.

3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." South.

4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.

5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.

6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.] And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. Byron.

Back"ward, n.

Definition: The state behind or past. [Obs.] In the dark backward and abysm of time. Shak.

Back"ward, v. i.

Definition: To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.]

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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