backward
gb/bˈækwɚd/ us/bˈækwɚd/
A2
Inglese
~ 1400
Accezioni
0 accezioni
adverb
A2
relation
1
Toward the back
Moving or facing toward the back, not forward.
Schema d'uso:
to move [something/someone] backward
Errore comune:
Learners sometimes confuse 'backward' with 'backwards'. Both are correct in American English, but British English prefers 'backwards' for movement.
Sinonimi
rearward (More formal and less common, often used in military or technical contexts.)
Contrari
forward (Indicates movement toward the front, opposite of backward.)
Collocazioni
step backward
|look backward
|move backward
|fall backward
Temi
daily life
|movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- She took a step backward to avoid the puddle.
- The car rolled backward down the hill.
- He leaned backward in his chair and stretched.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
a backward [position/look/facing]
Errore comune:
Sometimes confused with 'upside down' or 'reversed', which describe different orientations.
Sinonimi
rear-facing (Technical description, often for seats or equipment.)
Contrari
forward-facing (Indicates orientation toward the front.)
Collocazioni
backward glance
|backward seat
|backward tilt
Temi
daily life
|movement
|space
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- The child sat in a backward seat for safety.
- He gave her a quick backward glance.
- The camera was mounted in a backward position.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
a backward [country/area/system]
Errore comune:
May be mistakenly used for 'shy' when describing people; use 'reserved' or 'introverted' instead.
Sinonimi
underdeveloped (Common term for countries or regions lacking economic and industrial development.)
Contrari
advanced (Indicates a high level of development or progress.)
Collocazioni
backward region
|backward technology
|socially backward
Temi
society
|technology
|core_vocabulary
|education
Esempi
- The region remains economically backward despite recent investments.
- They called the policy socially backward.
- Some rural areas are still technologically backward.
Esempi per chi studia
- 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.
Schema d'uso:
to count [numbers] backward
Sinonimi
in reverse (Common phrase meaning in the opposite order.)
Contrari
forward (In normal order from start to finish.)
Collocazioni
count backward
|spell backward
|read backward
Temi
education
|time
|core_vocabulary
Esempi
- She counted backward from ten to zero.
- The movie plays the scene backward for effect.
- He spelled his name backward as a joke.
Esempi per chi studia
- I count backward from ten.
- We read the list backward.
- He said the word backward.
Grammatica
Forma base
backward
IPA
GB/bˈækwɚd/
US/bˈækwɚd/
Sillabe e accento
back - ward (2 sillabe)
Stress on 1st syllable (back)
Forme flesse
Adjective
- Base: backward
Famiglia di parole
Espressioni
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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- 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.
Esempi
- She took a step backward to avoid the dog.
- He took a step backward in surprise.