What does "backed" mean?

1. (supported or helped) gave support, money, or help to someone or something. 2. (moved backwards) moved a vehicle or yourself backwards. 3. (having a specific back) having a certain kind of back or support, usually used with another word.

How do you use "backed"?

Often used in the passive voice with 'by'. Commonly used with directional adverbs like 'into', 'out', or 'away'. Typically appears as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.

backed

v. · adj.

US //ˈbækt// UK //bˈækt// backed

1 supported or helped (v.)
B1 Intermediate

gave support, money, or help to someone or something.

provided financial, moral, or political support to a person, organization, or project.

Example

The new business was backed by several local investors who believed in the idea.

Example

The proposed legislation was backed by a broad coalition of environmental groups and urban planners.

Usage

Often used in the passive voice with 'by'.
- opposed
- rejected
2 moved backwards (v.)
B1 Intermediate

moved a vehicle or yourself backwards.

moved in a reverse direction, especially when operating a vehicle.

Example

He backed the car into the garage very carefully.

Example

The driver backed the lorry into the narrow loading bay without hitting any of the surrounding equipment.

Usage

Commonly used with directional adverbs like 'into', 'out', or 'away'.
- reversed
- retreated
- advanced
- forwarded

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3 having a specific back (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having a certain kind of back or support, usually used with another word.

possessing a specified type of back or backing; almost exclusively used in compound adjectives.

Example

We bought some high-backed chairs for the dining room table.

Example

The gallery was filled with gold-backed mirrors that reflected the light from the chandeliers.

Usage

Typically appears as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.

Etymology 1

From back (verb).

Etymology 2

From back (noun) + -ed.