Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

hold back

Word Rarity Common

Frequency: 5.13 in modern English

Syllables: hold back
IPA

20

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

1

Syllables

8

Unique Chars

Meaning

verb

To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.

Intransitive verb

verb

To contain; stop.

Transitive verb

verb

To delay the progress of, especially in school.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Don't hold back. Hit it as hard as you can."
"The TSSA union, which along with the RMT represents many of the staff affected by the closures, hasn't held back on its criticism."
"The dam can't hold back that much water."
"I was swallowing hard to hold back the tears."
"His shyness holds him back from making friends."
"Fabregas coolly slotted home after Ben Parker held back Theo Walcott and only a super Kasper Schmeichel save stopped Denilson winning it for the Gunners."

Usage

Inflected Forms

holds back (present, singular) holding back (participle, present) held back (participle, past) held back (past)

Frequently Paired Words

pull back stand back hold down hold off set back behedge guard govern

Synonyms

pull punches restrain keep keep back check turn back arrest stop contain

Questions

What does hold back mean?: To act with reserve; to contain one's full measure or power.

How to pronounce hold back

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “hold back”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling () so you know which sounds to aim for.
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