The difference between Backwards and Forward

When used as adverbs, backwards means toward the back, whereas forward means towards the front or from the front.

When used as adjectives, backwards means oriented toward the back, whereas forward means toward the front or at the front.

Forward is also noun with the meaning: one of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).

Forward is also verb with the meaning: to advance, promote.

check bellow for the other definitions of Backwards and Forward

  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."

  1. Forward as an adjective:

    Toward the front or at the front.

    Examples:

    "The fire was confined to the forward portion of the store."

    "the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a fleet"

  2. Forward as an adjective:

    Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.

    Examples:

    "'1999: ''"Would you think it forward of me to kiss you?" asked Tristran.'' — Neil Gaiman, ''Stardust'', pg. 44 (2001 Perennial paperback edition)."

  3. Forward as an adjective (finance):

    Expected in the future.

    Examples:

    "The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings."

  4. Forward as an adjective:

    Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.

  5. Forward as an adjective:

    Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.

    Examples:

    "The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring."

  1. Forward as an adverb:

    Towards the front or from the front.

    Examples:

    "The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward."

  2. Forward as an adverb:

    In the usual direction of travel.

    Examples:

    "After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward."

  3. Forward as an adverb:

    Into the future.

    Examples:

    "From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria."

  1. Forward as a verb (transitive):

    To advance, promote.

  2. Forward as a verb (transitive):

    To send (a letter, email etc.) to a third party.

    Examples:

    "I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone."

  3. Forward as a verb (transitive, bookbinding):

    To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.

  1. Forward as a noun (rugby):

    One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).

  2. Forward as a noun (soccer):

    A player on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.

  3. Forward as a noun (ice hockey):

    An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.

  4. Forward as a noun (basketball):

    The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.

  5. Forward as a noun (nautical):

    The front part of a vessel.

  6. Forward as a noun (Internet):

    An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.

  1. Forward as a noun (dialectal, or, obsolete):

    Agreement; covenant.

  2. Forward as a noun:

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