ENGLISH
REFERENCE

backwards

adv. place
B1 Intermediate Oxford US //ˈbækwɝdz// UK //bˈækwədz// back·wards General-service

adv. moving toward the back instead of the front. You can also use it to describe doing something in the opposite order of how it usually happens.

adv. moving or directed toward the rear; in a reverse direction or order from the usual one.


SIMPLE

He took a few steps backwards to see the whole picture.

CONTEXTUAL

The car rolled slowly backwards down the driveway because the driver forgot to pull the handbrake.

COMPLEX

The investigator had to work backwards from the evidence found at the scene to reconstruct the events leading up to the accident.

Synonyms
Antonyms
Etymology 1

From backward + -s. See also -s (“used in the formation of certain adverbs: backwards, downwards, inwards, etc.”).

Etymology 2

From Middle English bakwardis, bakwardis, a variant of Middle English bakwarde, bakward (“backward”). Equivalent to backward + -s. Compare Saterland Frisian bäkove (“backwards”).

Etymology 3

An inflection.

Usage

In British English, 'backwards' is the standard adverbial form, whereas 'backward' is more common in American English.

Pitfall

He walked backwardlyHe walked backwardsThe word 'backwards' is already an adverb; adding '-ly' is a common error as it is not a valid English word.

Idioms2 entries

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