backwards

/ˈbækwədz/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈbækwərdz/ (ame, ipa)

backwards — adverb

1. moving towards the back, or doing something in the reverse of the usual way or o

1.副詞A2
釋義

moving towards the back, or doing something in the reverse of the usual way or order.

例句

Baraka took a step backwards when he saw the snake on the path.

motion verb + backwards (step, move, walk)

Dario put his jumper on backwards and did not notice until lunch.

verb + clothing + on backwards (wrong way round)

同義詞
  • backward

    identical meaning; 'backward' is the preferred form in American English

  • in reverse

    used for vehicles or machines moving backwards

  • the wrong way round

    specifically for clothing or objects placed in the opposite orientation

反義詞
  • forwards

    in the usual or front-facing direction

用法筆記

Also used with clothing — 'put on backwards', 'wear backwards' — meaning the back of the garment is worn where the front should be.

常見錯誤

❌He looked backwardly before crossing the road.
✅He looked backwards before crossing the road.
💡'backwards' is the standard adverb; 'backwardly' is not a common word.

2. moving back to a less developed, less modern, or worse condition or way of doing

2.副詞B2
釋義

moving back to a less developed, less modern, or worse condition or way of doing things.

例句

Many people see the new education plan as a step backwards for the country.

step backwards (figurative — loss of progress)

Without access to the internet, the village risked going backwards while other towns grew.

go backwards (loss of progress)

同義詞
  • downhill

    informal, suggests worsening without the comparison to a previous better state

  • into decline

    more formal, focuses on a gradual process of deterioration

反義詞

用法筆記

Frequently used with 'a step backwards' as a fixed expression. Common after 'risk', 'threaten to', 'worry that'.

3. moving between two positions, heading one way and then the opposite way, often o

3.副詞B1
釋義

moving between two positions, heading one way and then the opposite way, often over and over again.

例句

The swing moved slowly backwards and forwards in the afternoon breeze.

backwards and forwards (paired phrase for repeated motion)

Dylan paced backwards and forwards outside the interview room, waiting for his turn.

pace backwards and forwards (anxious repeated movement)

同義詞
  • to and fro

    slightly more formal; same meaning of repeated alternating motion

用法筆記

Almost always paired with 'forwards' in the fixed phrase 'backwards and forwards'. This is the only sense that naturally forms this paired structure.