ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d ˈbækwɚd ˈbæk.wə(ɹ)d ˈbækwɚd ˈɹiɹ.wɝ d in or to or toward a past time set the clocks back an hour never look back lovers of the past looking fondly backward at or to or toward the back or rear he moved back tripped when he stepped backward she looked rearward out the window of the car in a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal it's easy to get the ‘i’ and the ‘e’ backward in words like ‘seize’ and ‘siege’ the child put her jersey on backward directed or facing toward the back or rear a backward view (used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature a backward lover having made less than normal progress an economically backward country retarded in intellectual development