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Definition of backward adverb from the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary

     

    backward

     adverb
    adverb
    NAmE//ˈbækwərd//
     
    (also backwards)
     
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  1. 1toward a place or position that is behind I lost my balance and fell backward. He took a step backward. opposite forward
  2. 2in the opposite direction to the usual one “Ambulance” is written backward so you can read it in the mirror. In the movie they take a journey backward through time.
  3. 3toward a worse state I felt that going to live with my parents would be a step backward. opposite forward
  4. 4if you put on a piece of clothing backward, you make a mistake and put the back where the front should be
    5. Idioms
    backward and forward
     
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    from one place or position to another and back again many times She rocked backward and forward on her chair.
    bend/lean over backward (to do something)
     
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    to make a great effort, especially in order to be helpful or fair I've bent over backward to help him.
    know somebody/something backward and forward (informal)
     
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    to know someone or something extremely well She must know the play backward and forward by now.
See backward in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: backward

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