Dictionary

backwards en · ADJ · etymology 1

Pronunciation

• /ˈbækwɜːdz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈbækwɜɹdz/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From backward + -s. See also -s (“used in the formation of certain adverbs: backwards, downwards, inwards, etc.”).

Meanings

1. Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
   • As I stand to address them they take a fearful step backwards with their hands outstretched in placating gestures. 2015, Alain Robert, With Bare Hands, Maverick Publishing Limited:

Forms

Deriveds

backwards-compatible · backwards compatibility · backwardsness · ass-backwards

Synonyms

backward

backwards en · ADV · etymology 2

Pronunciation

• /ˈbækwɜːdz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈbækwɜɹdz/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

From Middle English bakwardis, bakwardis, a variant of Middle English bakwarde, bakward (“backward”). Equivalent to backward + -s. Compare Saterland Frisian bäkove (“backwards”).

Meanings

1. Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
   • The length of the stoppages could not well be reduced; indeed, they are already too short if we are to believe the tale now current of a wandering Jew sort of passenger—a lady of advanced years who can only alight from a train backwards. Every time she begins to get out a porter rushes up crying "Hurry up, ma'am; train's going!"—and pushes her in again! 1944 May and June, “When the Circle was Steam Operated”, in Railway Magazine, page 150:
   • My train back is a Class 800 bi-mode. These are not too bad, except for their awful seats - compared with the seats on the HST, they are a step backwards. 2025 November 12, 'Mystery Shopper', “Is Devon the cream of the crop?”, in RAIL, number 1048, page 47:

Forms

Deriveds

look as if one has been dragged through a hedge backwards · ass-backwards

Relateds

inwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · shorewards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · sternwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · southwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · leewards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · forwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · landwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · skywards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · windwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · outwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · seawards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · upwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · sidewards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · homewards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · northwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · eastwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · westwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · downwards (Other terms using the suffix -wards) · towards (Other terms using the suffix -wards)

Synonyms

backward

backwards en · VERB · etymology 3

Pronunciation

• /ˈbækwɜːdz/ (Received-Pronunciation)
• /ˈbækwɜɹdz/ (General-American)
• (Southern-England) audio

Etymology

See the etymology of the corresponding lemma form.

Meanings

1. (form-of, indicative, present, singular, third-person) third-person singular simple present indicative of backward
   form of backward