'Backward' definitions:

Definition of 'backward'

(from WordNet)
adverb
At or to or toward the back or rear; "he moved back"; "tripped when he stepped backward"; "she looked rearward out the window of the car" [syn: back, backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards] [ant: forrad, forrard, forward, forwards, frontward, frontwards]
adverb
In a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal; "it's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like `seize' and `siege'"; "the child put her jersey on backward" [syn: backward, backwards]
adverb
In or to or toward a past time; "set the clocks back an hour"; "never look back"; "lovers of the past looking fondly backward" [syn: back, backward] [ant: ahead, forward]
adjective
Directed or facing toward the back or rear; "a backward view" [ant: forward]
adjective
(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature; "a backward lover" [ant: forward]
adjective
Retarded in intellectual development [syn: backward, half- witted, slow-witted, feebleminded]
adjective
Having made less than normal progress; "an economically backward country"

Definition of 'Backward'

From: GCIDE
  • Backward \Back"ward\, Backwards \Back"wards\, adv. [Back, adv. + -ward.]
  • 1. With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. On the back, or with the back downward. [1913 Webster]
  • Thou wilt fall backward. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Toward, or in, past time or events; ago. [1913 Webster]
  • Some reigns backward. --Locke. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. By way of reflection; reflexively. --Sir J. Davies. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin. [1913 Webster]
  • The work went backward. --Dryden. [1913 Webster]
  • 7. In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards. [1913 Webster]
  • We might have . . . beat them backward home. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Backward'

From: GCIDE
  • Backward \Back"ward\, a.
  • 1. Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath. [1913 Webster]
  • For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves. --Pope. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child. "The backward learner." --South. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. Late or behindhand; as, a backward season. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state. [1913 Webster]
  • 6. Already past or gone; bygone. [R.] [1913 Webster]
  • And flies unconscious o'er each backward year. --Byron. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Backward'

From: GCIDE
  • Backward \Back"ward\, n. The state behind or past. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]
  • In the dark backward and abysm of time. --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Definition of 'Backward'

From: GCIDE
  • Backward \Back"ward\, v. t. To keep back; to hinder. [Obs.] [1913 Webster]

Synonyms of 'backward'

From: Moby Thesaurus

Words containing 'Backward'