HyperDic: backward

English > 7 senses of the word backward:
ADVERBallbackward, back, backwards, rearward, rearwardsat or to or toward the back / back / back or rear
allbackward, backwardsin a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal
allbackward, backin or to or toward a past time
ADJECTIVEallbackwarddirected / directed or facing toward the back / back or rear
allbackward(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature
allbackward, half-witted, slow-witted, feeblemindedretarded in intellectual development
allbackwardhaving made less than normal progress
backward > pronunciation
Soundsbae'kwerd
RhymesAbelard ... word / Word: 269 rhymes with erd...
English > backward: 7 senses > adjective 1
Meaningdirected / directed or facing toward the back / back or rear.
Example"a backward view"
Narrowerbackswept, sweptbackUsed of hair
cacuminal, retroflexpronounced with the tip of the tongue turned back toward the hard palate
converse, reversed, transposedTurned about in order or relation
inverse, reversereversed (turned backward) in order or nature or effect
rearward, reversedirected or moving toward the rear
receding(of a hairline e.g.) moving slowly back
reflexive, self-referentreferring back to itself
regardantlooking backward
retractedDrawn back and in
retral, retrogradeMoving or directed or tending in a backward direction or contrary to a previous direction
retroflex, retroflexedbent / bent or curved backward
returning, reversivetending to be turned back
See alsoregressiveOpposing progress
retrospectiveconcerned with or related to the past
OppositeforwardAt or near or directed / directed toward the front
English > backward: 7 senses > adjective 2
Meaning(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature.
Example"a backward lover"
Narrowerbashful, blatedisposed to avoid notice
See alsoreservedmarked by self-restraint and reticence
timidshowing fear and lack of confidence
OppositeforwardUsed of temperament or behavior
Spanishtímido
Catalantímid
English > backward: 7 senses > adjective 3
Meaningretarded in intellectual development.
Synonymshalf-witted, slow-witted, feebleminded
Broaderretardedrelatively slow in mental or emotional or physical development
Usage ofarchaism, archaicismThe use of an archaic expression
Spanishatrasado
Nounsbackwardnesslack of normal development of intellectual capacities
English > backward: 7 senses > adjective 4
MeaningHaving made less than normal progress.
Example"an economically backward country"
Broaderundynamic, adynamicCharacterized by an absence of force or forcefulness
English > backward: 7 senses > adverb 1
MeaningAt or to or toward the back / back / back or rear.
Example "tripped when he stepped backward"
Synonymsback, backwards, rearward, rearwards
Oppositeforward, forwards, frontward, frontwards, forrad, forrardAt or to or toward the front
English > backward: 7 senses > adverb 2
MeaningIn a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal.
Examples
  • "it's easy to get the 'i' and the 'e' backward in words like 'seize' and 'siege'"
  • "the child put her jersey on backward"
Synonymbackwards
English > backward: 7 senses > adverb 3
MeaningIn or to or toward a past time.
Example "lovers of the past looking fondly backward"
Synonymback
Oppositeahead, forwardToward the future
Spanishatrás

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