backwards
/ˈbækwɜɹdz/
Word Rarity
Uncommon
Frequency: 4.04 in modern English
21
Scrabble Score
9
Letters
2
Syllables
8
Unique Chars
Meaning
Example Sentences
- "As I stand to address them they take a fearful step backwards with their hands outstretched in placating gestures."
- "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!"
- "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."
Etymology
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: bakwardis
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbækwɜɹdz/
- British English: /ˈbækwɜːdz/
Inflected Forms
more backwards (comparative)
most backwards (superlative)