Meaning & use
backward
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Meanings
adjectivebefore a noun
Directed toward the back or the starting point.
Grammar: Used before a noun: a backward glance.
Patterns
- a backward glance
- a backward step
- a backward movement
She gave a backward glance before leaving the room.
The dancer took a backward step.
He made a backward movement with his hand.
adjectivebefore a noundisapproving
Behind in progress or development; less advanced than others.
Grammar: Used before a noun to describe a place or person that is not as developed as others.
Patterns
- a backward country
- a backward economy
- a backward child
The region is economically backward.
He felt the school was backward in its teaching methods.
Some people consider the area backward, but it has a rich culture.
adverb
Toward the back or the opposite of the usual direction.
Grammar: Often used after verbs of movement: step backward.
Patterns
- step backward
- move backward
- look backward
He stepped backward to avoid the car.
The clock moved backward.
She looked backward over her shoulder.
Common combinations
- backward glance
- He gave a quick backward glance.
- backward step
- The new policy is a backward step for equality.
- backward movement
- The backward movement of the train surprised us.
- backward country
- Some call it a backward country, but it is developing fast.
- bend over backward
- She bent over backward to help us.
Synonyms and how they differ
- reverse
- Reverse means going in the opposite direction; it is often used for vehicles and processes, while backward is more general for direction.
- retrograde
- Retrograde is formal and means moving backward or declining; backward is the everyday word.
- underdeveloped
- Underdeveloped is used for economies or regions that are less advanced; backward can also mean this but is often disapproving.
Opposites
Word family
- backwardly adverb
- In a backward manner.
- backwardness noun
- The state of being backward.
Commonly confused: backward or backwards?
backward vs backwards
Backwards is the British adverb meaning toward the back; in American English, backward is used as both adjective and adverb.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'backward' correctly?
Choose one answer.
'Backward' is the correct adverb here; 'backwards' is also possible in British English, but 'backwardly' is not standard, and 'back ward' is not a word.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “backward”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.