backward
/ˈbækwɚd/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 3.71 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
adj
adj
adj
adj
adj
adj
Expressing lack of development or advancement.
adj
Expressing lack of development or advancement.
adj
Expressing lack of development or advancement.
Example Sentences
- "The silt collects in the backward part of the tank."
- "a backward tilt of the head"
- "The occasional apparent backward movement of planets is evidence that they revolve around the sun."
- "Engage the lock to prevent backward rotation of the wheel."
- "This is a backward step for the country."
- "This backward writing is hard to read."
Etymology
From Middle English bakwarde, abakward, equivalent to back (adverb) + -ward. Cognate with Old Frisian bekward (“backward”).
Origin
Word Breakdown
- Root: bakwarde
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbækwɚd/
- British English: /ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d/
Usage
Inflected Forms
more backward (comparative)
most backward (superlative)
backwards (present, singular)
backwarding (participle, present)
backwarded (participle, past)
backwarded (past)