Definition Synonyms
Definition of backwards - Reverso English Dictionary
Adverb
1.
movementUK towards the rear or in reverse directionUK
- She walked backwards to see the view.
2.
sequenceUK in reverse orderUK
- The video played backwards was hilarious..
3.
worseningUK into a worse state or conditionUK
- The project is going backwards.
Expressions with backwards
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lose balance and fall
He tripped on the curb and fell over backwards.
move one step back
He had to take a step backwards to avoid the puddle.
make a great effort to achieve something
She bent over backwards to finish the project on time.
make extra effort to help or satisfy someone
She will lean over backwards to make her guests feel comfortable.
make a great effort to help or please someone
She bent over backwards to make sure we were comfortable.
understand every detail of something very well
She knows the rules backwards.
in both directions repeatedly
The pendulum swings backwards and forwards.
movement in reverse direction by rolling
The child did a backwards roll down the hill.
move or drop to the ground behind from a standing position
He tripped and fell backwards onto the grass.
move in the opposite direction to the usual one
The car started to go backwards down the hill..
move one or more steps in the direction behind you
She had to step backwards to avoid the puddle.
understand something in the wrong or opposite way
You got it backwards—he called her, not the other way around.
understand something completely and in detail
She knows the rules backwards.
retrace steps in a task
When you get lost, job backwards to find where you went wrong.
ability to work with older systems or versions
The new software update offers backwards compatibility with older devices.
able to work with older versions or systems
The new software is backwards compatible with older operating systems.
Origin of backwards
Old English, bæc (back) + weard (toward)
Terms with backwards included in their meaning
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move back
move backwards, especially to allow more space
physical movement
move backwards a short distance
movement
move backwards or in the opposite direction
physical movement
move backwards to create distance
movement
move backwards away from something
movement
move backwards physically
vehicle movement
gear in a vehicle for moving backwards
push back
push or drive someone or something backwards
posture
move the upper body backwards and down
backwards order
in the opposite direction or order
literal cycling
move backwards by pedaling
games
act of stepping backwards in sports
movement
push or force backwards
dance move
dance move where the dancer slides backwards
dance
move backwards while appearing to walk forwards
inverted
upside down or backwards
skiing
ski with tips on both ends for skiing backwards
movement
the act of going backwards
boxing
step backwards in boxing
cycling
act of pedaling backwards on a bicycle
hairstyling
hair styling technique creating volume by combing hair backwards
hairstyle
styled by combing hair backwards for volume
gesture
deep bow with the foot drawn backwards
gesture
deep bow with the foot drawn backwards
Examples of backwards in a sentence
He counted backwards from ten to one. She recited the poem backwards. The instructions were given backwards. His health has been going backwards since the accident. The economy is moving backwards due to poor policies.
View all translations of backwards
Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
- French:à reculons, à l'envers, ...
- German:rückwärts, umgekehrt, ...
- Italian:all'indietro, al contrario, ...
- Spanish:hacia atrás, al revés, ...
- Portuguese:para trás, de trás para frente, ...
- Chinese:向后, 倒着, ...
- Japanese:後ろ向きに, 逆順に, ...
- Arabic:إِلَى الْوَرَاءِ, بِالْعَكْس, ...
- Hebrew:לְאָחוֹר, בְּסֵדֶר הָפוּךְ, ...
- Russian:задом наперед, в обратном порядке, ...
- Ukrainian:назад, у зворотному порядку, ...
- Hindi:पीछे की ओर, उल्टे क्रम में, ...
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