backward

adjective more backward · most backward

1. Situated toward or at the rear of something. The silt collects in the backward part of the tank.
2. Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing. a backward tilt of the head
3. Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. The occasional apparent backward movement of planets is evidence that they revolve around the sun.
4. figuratively Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress. This is a backward step for the country.
5. Reversed in order or sequence. This backward writing is hard to read.
6. figuratively Retarded in development; not as advanced as would be expected. The child is backward in his school work.
7. figuratively Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated. They were a backward people without any writing.
8. figuratively Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning. a backward child
9. figuratively Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated. The party’s ideas and policies are very backward.
10. figuratively Late or behindhand. a backward season
11. often Reluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy. She certainly isn’t backward in coming forward!
12. Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
13. On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
14. Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
15. obsolete Unwilling; averse; reluctant. For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.
16. obsolete Already past or gone; bygone. The soul forgets her schemes of Hope and Pride, / and flies unconscious o'er each backward year.

Similar: reversedly, in reverse, dated, obsolete, primitive, back to front

adverb more backward · most backward

1. At, near or towards the rear of something. The passenger turned around and walked backward, towards the tail of the aircraft.
2. In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing. He tilted his head backward.
3. In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement. In reverse gear the wheel turns backward.
4. figuratively Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state. This project seems to be going backward.
5. In a reversed orientation; back to front. He had his cap on backward.
6. In a reversed order or sequence. A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
7. Toward or into the past. As we begin the new millennium, it behoves us to look backward as well as forward.
8. obsolete In the past.
9. By way of reflection; reflexively. the Mind can backward caſt Upon herself, her understanding Light

noun

1. The state behind or past. In the dark backward and abysm of time.

verb backwards · backwarding · backwarded

1. dated, transitive To keep back, to delay, to retard.