The difference between Backward and Backwards

When used as adverbs, backward means in the direction towards the back, whereas backwards means toward the back.

When used as adjectives, backward means in the direction towards the back, whereas backwards means oriented toward the back.

Backward is also noun with the meaning: the state behind or past.

check bellow for the other definitions of Backward and Backwards

  1. Backward as an adjective (of motion):

    In the direction towards the back.

    Examples:

    "They left without a backward glance."

  2. Backward as an adjective (of motion):

    In the direction reverse of normal.

    Examples:

    "The occasional backward movement of planets is evidence they revolve around the sun."

  3. Backward as an adjective:

    Reluctant or unable to advance.

  4. Backward as an adjective:

    Of a culture: undeveloped or unsophisticated.

  5. Backward as an adjective:

    Of a thought or value: outdated.

  6. Backward as an adjective (cricket):

    On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.

  7. Backward as an adjective (cricket):

    Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.

  8. Backward as an adjective (obsolete):

    Unwilling; averse; reluctant.

  9. Backward as an adjective:

    Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.

    Examples:

    "a backward child"

  10. Backward as an adjective:

    Late or behindhand.

    Examples:

    "a backward season"

  11. Backward as an adjective (obsolete):

    Already past or gone; bygone.

  1. Backward as an adverb (of motion):

    In the direction towards the back; backwards

    Examples:

    "to walk or ride backward; to throw the arms backward"

  2. Backward as an adverb:

    Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.

  3. Backward as an adverb:

    By way of reflection; reflexively.

    Examples:

    "rfquotek Sir J. Davies"

  4. Backward as an adverb:

    From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.

  1. Backward as a noun:

    The state behind or past.

  1. Backwards as an adjective:

    Oriented toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The battleship had three backwards guns at the stern, in addition to the primary complement''."

  2. Backwards as an adjective:

    Reversed.

    Examples:

    "The backwards lettering on emergency vehicles makes it possible to read in the rear-view mirror."

  3. Backwards as an adjective (derogatory):

    Behind current trends or technology.

    Examples:

    "Modern medicine regards the use of leeches as a backwards practice."

  4. Backwards as an adjective:

    Clumsy, inept, or inefficient, especially in learning.

    Examples:

    "He was a very backwards scholar, but he was a marvel on the football field."

  1. Backwards as an adverb:

    Toward the back.

    Examples:

    "The cabinet [[topple]]d over backwards."

    "Life is lived forwards, but understood backwards.''—Søren Kierkegaard"

  2. Backwards as an adverb:

    In the opposite direction to usual.

    Examples:

    "The clock did not work because the battery was inserted backwards."

  3. Backwards as an adverb:

    In a manner such that the back precedes the front.

    Examples:

    "The tour guide walked backwards while droning on to the bored seniors."

Compare words:

Compare with synonyms and related words: