# backward

/ˈbækwɝd/ (US) · /bˈækwəd/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/backward
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. directed toward the back

adjective · CEFR B1

directed or moving toward the back rather than the front.

For teachers: directed or moving toward the rear; situated behind.

- He took a backward step to give the lady more room to pass.
- The athlete's backward glance suggested he was more concerned with his competitors' positions than his own finish time.

### 2. not advanced

adjective · CEFR B2

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

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

- The village was quite backward and still had no reliable electricity.
- Critics argued that the new policy was a backward step for civil rights in the region.

### 3. shy or hesitant

adjective · CEFR C1 · Literary

shy and not wanting to speak or act.

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

- She was never backward in telling people exactly what she thought.
- Though naturally a backward child in social settings, he displayed remarkable confidence when performing on stage.

### 4. toward the rear

adverb · CEFR B1

toward the direction behind you.

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

- The car started to roll backward down the steep hill.
- 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'.

### 5. into the past

adverb · CEFR B2

looking or thinking about things that happened in the past.

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

- Looking backward, I realize I should have taken that job offer.
- The historian traced the lineage backward through three centuries of church records.

## Examples

- He took a backward step to avoid the puddle.
- The company's new policy felt like a backward move for workers' rights.
- The historian argued that the policy was a backward attempt to revive a social order that had long since vanished from the modern world.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.