1. Directed or facing toward the back or rear. 2. Done or arranged in a manner or order that is opposite to previous occurrence or normal use. 3. Unwilling to act; reluctant; shy. 4. Behind others in progress or development: The technology was backward, but the system worked.
ADVERB:
or back·wards (-wrdz) 1. To or toward the back or rear. 2. With the back leading. 3. In a reverse manner or order. 4. To, toward, or into the past. 5. Toward a worse or less advanced condition.
OTHER FORMS:
backward·ly —ADVERB backward·ness —NOUN
USAGE NOTE:
The adverb may be spelled backward or backwards, and these forms are interchangeable: stepped backward; a mirror facing backwards. In Standard English, however, the adjective has no –s: a backward view.
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