Meaning of 'back'

adverb

in or to or toward a past time

Example: "set the clocks back an hour"

Synonyms: backward

adverb

at or to or toward the back or rear

Example: "They moved back to distance themselves from the cameras down front."

Synonyms: backward backwards rearward rearwards

adverb

in repayment or retaliation

Example: "we paid back everything we had borrowed"

adverb

in or to or toward a former location

Example: "They went back to their parents' house."

adverb

in or to or toward an original condition

Example: "The dog went back to sleep."

adverb

in reply to

Example: "They wrote back three days later."

noun

(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage

noun

a support that you can lean against while sitting

Example: "the back of the dental chair was adjustable"

Synonyms: backrest

noun

the part of a garment that covers the back of your body

Example: "They pinned a 'kick me' sign on the new kid's back."

noun

the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book

Synonyms: cover

noun

the side that goes last or is not normally seen

Example: "I wrote the date on the back of the photograph."

Synonyms: rear

noun

the posterior part of a body from the neck to the end of the spine

Example: "Our backs were nicely tanned after a day on the beach."

Synonyms: dorsum

noun

the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord

Example: "The fall broke their back."

Synonyms: spine backbone spinal column rachis

noun

the part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer

Example: "I stood at the back of the stage."

Synonyms: rear

noun

in association football, a person who plays in the backfield, also known as a defender

Example: "The goalkeeper passed the ball to the back, who then ran it forward."

verb

to strengthen by providing with a back or backing

Example: "I backed the photo so it would not get bent in the post."

verb

to establish as valid or genuine

Example: "Can you back up your claims?"

Synonyms: back up

verb

to shift to a counterclockwise direction

Example: "The wind backed."

verb

to place a bet on

Example: "Which horse are you backing?"

Synonyms: punt

verb

to travel backward

Example: "I will back the car into the driveway."

verb

to cause to travel backward

Example: "I backed the car into the parking spot."

verb

to support financial backing for

Example: "They backed my crowd funding campaign."

verb

to be behind

Example: "The house backs the park."

Synonyms: support

verb

to give support or one's approval to

Example: "They backed my crowdfunding campaign."

Synonyms: second endorse indorse

verb

to be in back of

Example: "My garage backs their yard."

adjective

located at or near the back of an animal

Synonyms: hind hinder

adjective

related to or located at the back

adjective

of an earlier date