Word
backwards
Phoneticsback·wards, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbækwɝdz/
UK/bˈækwədz/
Adverb of place
Definitions
01toward the back
B1 · Intermediate British English
adv. toward the direction that is behind you.
adv. toward the rear; in a direction opposite to the one in which one is facing or moving forward.
日本語:後ろ向き※
“He took a few steps backwards to get a better view of the painting.”
“The vehicle began to roll backwards down the incline because the driver had neglected to engage the handbrake fully.”
Usage
In British English, 'backwards' is the standard adverb; American English often prefers 'backward' without the 's'.
Synonyms
02in reverse order
B1 · Intermediate
adv. starting from the end and going to the beginning.
adv. in a reverse direction or order from that which is usual.
“Can you say the alphabet backwards starting from Z?”
“The witness was asked to recount the events of the evening backwards to see if his story remained consistent.”
Synonyms
Antonyms
03directed toward the back
B2 · Upper Intermediate British English
adj. directed or facing toward the back.
adj. directed or moving toward the rear.
日本語:後ろ向き※
“She gave a quick backwards glance before she entered the house.”
“The athlete's backwards somersault was executed with such precision that the judges awarded him a perfect score.”
Teaching tip
While 'backwards' is common as an adverb, using it as an adjective is mostly British; 'backward' is more universal for the adjective form.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “backwards” in context.
Verb
01. count backwards
“The doctor asked the patient to count backwards from one hundred.”
verb + adv
02. fall backwards
“He lost his balance and started to fall backwards into the swimming pool.”
verb + adv
03. lean backwards
“If you lean backwards too far, the chair might tip over.”
verb + adv
04. read backwards
“Some languages are read backwards compared to English.”
verb + adv
05. walk backwards
“The photographer had to walk backwards to keep the whole group in the frame.”
verb + adv
Etymology
From backward + -s. See also -s (“used in the formation of certain adverbs: backwards, downwards, inwards, etc.”).
From Middle English bakwardis, bakwardis, a variant of Middle English bakwarde, bakward (“backward”). Equivalent to backward + -s. Compare Saterland Frisian bäkove (“backwards”).
An inflection.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
- 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.B1 PreliminaryIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.4.0–5.0TOEFL 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: 3.0–3.544–71TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.550–784
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B1 · IntermediateOxford
- Updated
- アルファベット
- 読み方の一覧 →
QR code
englishreference.com/q/backwards
※ 機械で選んだ訳語です。ネイティブスピーカーによる確認はまだです。
「日本語」 data: JMdict (EDRDG), CC BY-SA 4.0