What does "behind" mean?

1. (at the back of) at or towards the back of something or someone. 2. (supporting) giving support or help to someone. 3. (the cause of) the reason why something happened. 4. (staying in a place) staying in a place after others have left. 5. (late or slow) making less progress than you should. 6. (overdue) late with a payment or a task. 7. (the buttocks) the part of the body you sit on.

How do you use "behind"?

This is a polite way to refer to the buttocks in informal speech.

behind

US //bɪˈhaɪnd// UK //bɪhˈaɪnd// be·hind

1 at the back of (prep.)
A1 Beginner

at or towards the back of something or someone.

at or to the rear of a person, object, or location.

Example

The cat was hiding behind the sofa because it was scared of the vacuum.

Example

The small garden was tucked away behind the main house, shielded from the noise of the street by a high stone wall.
- rear
- back
- before
- in front of
2 supporting (prep.)
B1 Intermediate

giving support or help to someone.

providing support, encouragement, or backing to a person or cause.

Example

The whole community is behind the team as they head to the finals.

Example

The CEO remained firmly behind the marketing department's controversial decision, despite the initial negative feedback from shareholders.
- supporting
- backing
- opposing

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3 the cause of (prep.)
B2 Upper Intermediate

the reason why something happened.

serving as the underlying cause, motive, or explanation for an event or situation.

Example

Police are still trying to find out who was behind the robbery.

Example

The investigative journalist spent months trying to uncover the powerful interests behind the sudden change in environmental policy.
- causing
- motivating
4 staying in a place (adv.)
A2 Elementary

staying in a place after others have left.

remaining in a location or state after the departure of others or the passing of an event.

Example

I forgot my umbrella behind at the restaurant yesterday.

Example

While the rest of the family went to the beach, he stayed behind to finish his university application.
- remaining
- ahead
5 late or slow (adv.)
B1 Intermediate

making less progress than you should.

failing to keep up with a schedule, pace, or expected level of progress.

Example

The train is running ten minutes behind today.

Example

The construction project fell months behind due to a series of unexpected supply chain disruptions and labour shortages.
- late
- delayed
- ahead
6 overdue (adj.)
B2 Upper Intermediate Formal

late with a payment or a task.

in arrears or late regarding a scheduled obligation, particularly financial payments.

Example

He is two months behind with his rent payments.

Example

The company was significantly behind on its tax obligations, leading to a formal audit by the authorities.
- overdue
- delinquent
- current
7 the buttocks (n.)
B1 Intermediate Informal

the part of the body you sit on.

the fleshy part of the human body that forms the buttocks.

Example

The toddler fell down right on his behind but didn't cry.

Example

He slipped on the icy pavement and landed hard on his behind, much to the amusement of his friends.

Usage

This is a polite way to refer to the buttocks in informal speech.

Teacher's tip

Learners should use this instead of 'butt' or 'ass' if they want to be informal but not rude or vulgar.

Origin

From Middle English behinde, behinden, from Old English behindan (“on the back side of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic bihindan, bihindini (“on the back side of, in the rear of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic bi- + hindō (“the hind side, back part”), equivalent to be- + hind. Compare Old Saxon bihindan (“behind”, adverb), Middle High German behinter (“behind; back”).