Backward Meaning in English
word
/ˈbækwɝd/
BAK-wurd
/bˈækwəd/
BAK-wuhd
Definition
Moving in the direction behind you, not forward. It can also mean old-fashioned or not advanced (disapproving).
Usage & Nuances
'Backward' as an adverb describes physical movement ('step backward'), while as an adjective, it's often disapproving ('backward thinking'). Don't confuse with 'backwards', which is more common in British English for direction. Using 'backward' for people can sound offensive.
Spanish: hacia atrás - atrasado (figurado)Portuguese (BR): para trás - atrasado (figurado)Portuguese (PT): para trás - atrasado (figurado)Chinese (Simplified): 向后 - 落后的Chinese (Traditional): 向後 - 落後的Hindi: पीछे की ओर - पिछड़ा (रूपक)Arabic: إلى الوراء - متخلف (مجازي)Bengali: পিছন দিকে - পশ্চাদপসরণ (আচরণে পুরোনো, উন্নত নয়)Russian: назад - отсталый (устаревший)Japanese: 後ろへ - 時代遅れのVietnamese: lùi lại - lạc hậuKorean: 뒤로 - 낙후된Turkish: geriye - geri kalmışUrdu: پیچھے - پسماندہIndonesian: mundur - terbelakang
Example Sentences
He took a step backward.
basic
The car rolled backward down the hill.
basic
You must not look backward during the race.
basic
Some people still have a very backward attitude about technology.
natural
The education system here is quite backward compared to other countries.
natural
Can you say the alphabet backward?
natural