American English
/ˈbæ.kwɚd̚/
2 syllables · Stress the first syllable.
Toward the back, not toward the front.
Practice out loudToward the back, not toward the front.
She walked backward to the door.
The truck rolled backward into the driveway.
walk backward · step backward · move backward · fall backward
verb + backward + from + place
verb + backward + toward + place
Toward an earlier time or situation.
Looking backward, I can see my mistake.
The memoir looks backward to her childhood.
look backward · go backward in time
look + backward + at + the past
look + backward + to + a time
From the end toward the beginning, or in the opposite order.
The video is playing backward.
Read the word backward.
play a video backward · count backward · read a word backward
play + object + backward
count + backward + from + number
Not as modern, developed, or advanced as other places or groups.
The region was once considered backward.
That policy reflects backward ideas about education.
Calling a person or group backward can sound insulting. Use “less developed” when you mean that a place or group has fewer resources or opportunities.
backward country · backward region · backward ideas
a backward + noun
be + backward + in + area
To make a very big effort to help or please someone.
She bent over backward to help us.
An action that reduces progress.
Cutting the program was a step backward.