Word
Definition
n. a way of hitting a ball or a person with the back of your hand. In sports like tennis, it is a common shot where you hit the ball with the side of your hand.
n. a stroke in racket sports executed by hitting the ball with the side of the hand; also refers to a blow delivered with the back of the hand.
Examples
“He hit a powerful backhand to win the point.”
“The tennis player is famous for his aggressive backhand, which he uses to finish every rally.”
“While the forehand is often the dominant stroke in professional tennis, a well-executed backhand can be just as effective when used to counter an opponent's aggressive serve.”
Examples
simple
“He hit a powerful backhand to win the point.”
contextual
“The tennis player is famous for his aggressive backhand, which he uses to finish every rally.”
complex
“While the forehand is often the dominant stroke in professional tennis, a well-executed backhand can be just as effective when used to counter an opponent's aggressive serve.”
Real-World Examples
“She earned a break point in the eighth game of the decider but missed a routine backhand pass.” “Sabalenka let out a huge roar after another backhand winner to hold in a tight opening game of the third set.” Etymology
From back + hand.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
Idioms
Domain
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/backhand
「カタカナ語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0