backwards
word · lemma: backward
/ˈbækwɝdz/
BAK-wurdz
/bˈækwədz/
BAK-wuhdz
Definition
In a direction toward the back, or in reverse order or the wrong way around. It can describe movement, position, or something arranged opposite to the usual direction.
Usage & Nuances
Common with verbs of movement: 'walk backwards', 'lean backwards'. Also used for wrong orientation: 'Your shirt is backwards.' In everyday speech, 'backward' and 'backwards' are often both possible, but 'backwards' is especially common as an adverb.
Spanish: hacia atrás - al revésPortuguese (BR): para trás - ao contrárioPortuguese (PT): para trás - ao contrárioChinese (Simplified): 向后 - 反着 - 倒着Chinese (Traditional): 向後 - 反著 - 倒著Hindi: पीछे की ओर - उल्टाArabic: إلى الخلف - بالعكس - بالمقلوبBengali: পিছনের দিকে - উল্টোমুখেRussian: назад - наоборотJapanese: 後ろ向きに - 逆さまにVietnamese: lùi lại - ngược lạiKorean: 뒤로 - 거꾸로Turkish: geriye - tersUrdu: الٹا - پیچھے کی طرفIndonesian: mundur - terbalik
Example Sentences
The boy took two steps backwards.
basic
You are wearing your T-shirt backwards.
basic
She read the word backwards.
basic
Don’t lean too far backwards in that chair.
natural
I had the numbers backwards, so I went to the wrong address.
natural
When I watched the video backwards, it looked really weird.
natural