Backwards
/ˈbækwərdz/
adverbBeginner🔥Very CommonDirection
2 meanings2 questions
Definitions
2 meanings1
Toward the back; in a reversed direction.
/ˈbækwərdz/
adverbneutralBeginner
Direction
In the opposite direction to the way someone or something is facing or moving.
The car started moving backwards.
💡 Simply: Going the opposite way.
More Examples
2
She looked backwards before crossing the street.
How It's Used
General
"He walked backwards into the room."
2
In a reversed order or direction.
/ˈbækwərdz/
adjectiveneutralBeginner
Direction
Directed or done in a reverse direction.
The countdown was written backwards.
💡 Simply: Opposite of forward.
More Examples
2
He put on his shirt backwards.
How It's Used
General
"He performed a backwards somersault."
Tip:Think of something going 'back' instead of forward.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Antonyms
From Middle English *bakward, from Old English *bæcweard, from bæc ('back') + weard ('toward').
The word has been used consistently since Old English, predominantly as an adverb describing movement.
Memory tip
Think of walking 'back' and 'ward' (toward).
Word Origin
LanguageOld English
Original meaning
"back + ward (toward)"
Base: back
backwards and forwardsbackwards compatible
Common misspellings
backwardsbackwrds
Practice
Usage
70%Spoken
30%Written