backward

Meaning

Adj

1. Indicating position or direction.
2. Indicating position or direction.
3. Indicating position or direction.
4. (figuratively) Indicating position or direction.
5. Indicating position or direction.
6. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.
7. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.
8. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.
9. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.
10. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.
11. (often) Reluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy.
12. Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
13. On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
14. Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
15. (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
16. (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.

Adv

1. At, near or towards the rear of something.
2. In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
3. In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
4. (figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state.
5. In a reversed orientation; back to front.
6. In a reversed order or sequence.
7. Toward or into the past.
8. (obsolete) In the past.
9. By way of reflection; reflexively.

Noun

The state behind or past.

Verb

To keep back, to delay, to retard.

Opposite of

progressive

Synonyms

backwards

back

🔙

rearward

retrograde

retarded

astern

undeveloped

fall behind

unprogressive

underdeveloped

rearwards

uncultured

behind

reverse

slow-witted

regressive

ignorant

primitive

outdated

rear

inverted

mentally deficient

lagging behind

lag behind

on one’s back

depressed

uncouth

slow

stagnant

reversed

inverse

retrogressive

shy

reticent

retreat

out-of-date

half-witted

feebleminded

ensue

benighted

end

🔚

emerging

belated

emergent

embryonic

behindhand

opposite

dull

obsolete

move away

Translations

en arrière

rückwärts

achteruit

para trás

retrógrado

arrière

🔙

atrasado

arriéré

rückständig

indietro

🔙

πίσω

achterwaarts

unterentwickelt

achterover

sens devant derrière

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bakwarde

Cognate with Old Frisian: bekward

In summary

From Middle English bakwarde, abakward, equivalent to back (adverb) + -ward. Cognate with Old Frisian bekward (“backward”).

Sentences

The F-mount has a significant degree of both backward and forward compatibility .