Definition of "backward" in Anglais

adjective

1. Indicating position or direction.

2. (figuratively) Expressing lack of development or advancement.

3. (often in negative constructions) Reluctant or unwilling to advance or act; shy.

   • She certainly isn’t backward in coming forward!

4. (chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.

5. (cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.

6. (cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.

7. (obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.

8. (obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.

adverb

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.
   • The grandfather clock toppled backward and crashed to the ground.
   • Her arm was bent backward at an odd angle.

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.

noun

1. The state behind or past.

verb

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