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⇱ backwardness - WordReference.com Dictionary of English

backwardness

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UK:**UK and possibly other pronunciationsUK and possibly other pronunciations/ˈbækwərdnɪs/


WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026
back•ward /ˈbækwɚd/USA pronunciation   adv. Also, ˈback•wards. 
  1. toward the back or rear:I leaned backward in my chair.
  2. with the back moving first or facing forward:The helicopter flew backward.
  3. in the reverse of the usual or right way: counting backward from 100.
  4. toward the past: Looking backward, I remember how I felt.

adj. 
  1. [before a noun] directed toward the back or past:a backward look.
  2. [before a noun] reversed;
    returning:a backward movement.
  3. behind in time, progress, or development:send help to backward countries.
  4. bashful or hesitant;
    shy:a little backward giving his opinions.
Idioms
  1. backward(s) and forward(s), in every detail;
    thoroughly.
  2. Idioms bend, lean, or fall over backward, [no obj]to make a serious effort:He bent over backward to be polite.

back•ward•ly, adv. 
back•ward•ness, n. [uncountable]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026
back•ward  (bak′wərd),USA pronunciation adv. Also, back′wards. 
  1. toward the back or rear.
  2. with the back foremost.
  3. in the reverse of the usual or right way:counting backward from 100.
  4. toward the past:to look backward over one's earlier mistakes.
  5. toward a less advanced state;
    retrogressively:Since the overthrow of the president the country has moved steadily backward.
  6. Idioms backward and forward, thoroughly:He knew his lesson backward and forward.Also, backwards and forwards. 

adj. 
  1. directed toward the back or past.
  2. reversed;
    returning:a backward movement; a backward journey.
  3. behind in time or progress;
    late;
    slow:a backward learner; a backward country.
  4. bashful or hesitant;
    shy:a backward lover.
  • Middle English bakwarde. See back1, -ward 1250–1300
back′ward•ly, adv. 
back′ward•ness, n. 
    9. tardy; retarded, underdeveloped. 10. disinclined; timid, retiring.
    1. forward.
'backwardness' also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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