backward
gb/bˈækwɚd/ us/bˈækwɚd/
A2
Inglés
~ 1400
Acepciones
0 acepciones
adverb
A2
relation
1
Toward the back
Moving or facing toward the back, not forward.
Patrón de uso:
to move [something/someone] backward
Error frecuente:
Learners sometimes confuse 'backward' with 'backwards'. Both are correct in American English, but British English prefers 'backwards' for movement.
Sinónimos
rearward (More formal and less common, often used in military or technical contexts.)
Antónimos
forward (Indicates movement toward the front, opposite of backward.)
Colocaciones
step backward
|look backward
|move backward
|fall backward
Temas
daily life
|movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She took a step backward to avoid the puddle.
- The car rolled backward down the hill.
- He leaned backward in his chair and stretched.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- He moved backward to see the picture.
- The chair fell backward.
- I walked backward to the door.
adjective
B1
relation
2
Facing the back
Pointing or facing toward the back.
Patrón de uso:
a backward [position/look/facing]
Error frecuente:
Sometimes confused with 'upside down' or 'reversed', which describe different orientations.
Sinónimos
rear-facing (Technical description, often for seats or equipment.)
Antónimos
forward-facing (Indicates orientation toward the front.)
Colocaciones
backward glance
|backward seat
|backward tilt
Temas
daily life
|movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- The child sat in a backward seat for safety.
- He gave her a quick backward glance.
- The camera was mounted in a backward position.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- The seat is backward.
- She looked with a backward glance.
- The car has a backward camera.
adjective
B2
property
3
Less developed or advanced
Not as modern or developed as other people or places.
Patrón de uso:
a backward [country/area/system]
Error frecuente:
May be mistakenly used for 'shy' when describing people; use 'reserved' or 'introverted' instead.
Sinónimos
underdeveloped (Common term for countries or regions lacking economic and industrial development.)
Antónimos
advanced (Indicates a high level of development or progress.)
Colocaciones
backward region
|backward technology
|socially backward
Temas
society
|technology
|core_vocabulary
|education
Ejemplos
- The region remains economically backward despite recent investments.
- They called the policy socially backward.
- Some rural areas are still technologically backward.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- This is a backward town.
- The machine is backward and slow.
- The school is backward in teaching.
adverb
A2
relation
4
In reverse order
Starting at the end and going to the beginning.
Patrón de uso:
to count [numbers] backward
Sinónimos
in reverse (Common phrase meaning in the opposite order.)
Antónimos
forward (In normal order from start to finish.)
Colocaciones
count backward
|spell backward
|read backward
Temas
education
|time
|core_vocabulary
Ejemplos
- She counted backward from ten to zero.
- The movie plays the scene backward for effect.
- He spelled his name backward as a joke.
Ejemplos para estudiantes
- I count backward from ten.
- We read the list backward.
- He said the word backward.
Gramática
Forma de diccionario
backward
AFI
GB/bˈækwɚd/
US/bˈækwɚd/
Sílabas y acento
back - ward (2 sílabas)
Stress on 1st syllable (back)
Formas de la palabra
Adjective
- Base: backward
Familia de palabras
Expresiones
bend over backward
1/bˈɛnd ˈoʊvɚ bˈækwɚd/
idiom
informal
Make a big effort to help
To try very hard to help someone or make them happy.
Ejemplos
- The staff bent over backward to make our stay enjoyable.
- She bent over backward to meet the deadline.
play something backward
1/plˈeɪ sˈʌmθɪŋ bˈækwɚd/
fixed phrase
Play recording in reverse
To make a song, video, or movie go from end to start instead of start to end.
Ejemplos
- They played the video backward to show the trick.
- He played the song backward to find hidden words.
take a step backward
1/tˈeɪk ə stˈɛp bˈækwɚd/
fixed phrase
Move one step back
To move your body one step toward the back.
Ejemplos
- She took a step backward to avoid the dog.
- He took a step backward in surprise.