What does "backward" mean?

1. (directed toward the back) directed or moving toward the back rather than the front. 2. (not advanced) having made less progress than others in technology, society, or learning. 3. (shy or hesitant) shy and not wanting to speak or act. 4. (toward the rear) toward the direction behind you. 5. (into the past) looking or thinking about things that happened in the past.

How do you use "backward"?

In American English, 'backward' is preferred as an adverb; British English often uses 'backwards'.

Is it correct to say "He looked backwardly at the house."?

No — say "He looked backward at the house.". The word 'backward' (or 'backwards') is already an adverb; do not add '-ly'.

backward

adj. · adv.

US //ˈbækwɝd// UK //bˈækwəd// back·ward

1 directed toward the back (adj.)
B1 Intermediate

directed or moving toward the back rather than the front.

directed or moving toward the rear; situated behind.

Example

He took a backward step to give the lady more room to pass.

Example

The athlete's backward glance suggested he was more concerned with his competitors' positions than his own finish time.
- rearward
- behind
- forward
2 not advanced (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

having made less progress than others in technology, society, or learning.

less advanced than is typical or desired in terms of social, economic, or intellectual development.

Example

The village was quite backward and still had no reliable electricity.

Example

Critics argued that the new policy was a backward step for civil rights in the region.
- underdeveloped
- primitive
- advanced
- progressive

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3 shy or hesitant (adj.)
C1 Advanced Literary

shy and not wanting to speak or act.

reluctant or hesitant to act or speak; often used in the phrase 'not backward in' to mean someone is bold.

Example

She was never backward in telling people exactly what she thought.

Example

Though naturally a backward child in social settings, he displayed remarkable confidence when performing on stage.
- shy
- diffident
- hesitant
- bold
- confident
4 toward the rear (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

toward the direction behind you.

toward the rear or in a direction opposite to the usual one.

Example

The car started to roll backward down the steep hill.

Example

The film was played backward, making it look as though the broken glass was jumping back onto the table.

Usage

In American English, 'backward' is preferred as an adverb; British English often uses 'backwards'.
- backwards
- rearward
- forward
- onward
Pitfall

He looked backwardly at the house.

He looked backward at the house.

The word 'backward' (or 'backwards') is already an adverb; do not add '-ly'.
5 into the past (adv.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

looking or thinking about things that happened in the past.

toward or into the past; in a reverse chronological order.

Example

Looking backward, I realize I should have taken that job offer.

Example

The historian traced the lineage backward through three centuries of church records.
- retroactively

Origin

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