back
back /ˈbæk/
adjective
-
(
)
Related to or located at the back
(
back
)
related to or located at the back
The back yard
the back yard
The back entrance
the back entrance
-
()
Located at or near the back of an animal
(
hind
, hinder
, back
)
located at or near the back of an animal
Back (or hind) legs
back (or hind) legs
The hinder part of a carcass
the hinder part of a carcass
-
Of an earlier date
(
back
)
of an earlier date
Back issues of the magazine
back issues of the magazine
adverb
-
()
In, to or toward a former location
(
back
)
in, to or toward a former location
She went back to her parents' house
she went back to her parents' house
-
()
At or to or toward the back or rear
(
rearwards
, backwards
, backward
, back
, rearward
)
at or to or toward the back or rear
He moved back
he moved back
Tripped when he stepped backward
tripped when he stepped backward
She looked rearward out the window of the car
she looked rearward out the window of the car
-
()
In, to or toward an original condition
(
back
)
in, to or toward an original condition
He went back to sleep
he went back to sleep
-
()
In, to or toward a past time
(
backward
, back
)
in, to or toward a past time
Set the clocks back an hour
set the clocks back an hour
Never look back
never look back
Lovers of the past looking fondly backward
lovers of the past looking fondly backward
-
()
In reply
(
back
)
in reply
He wrote back three days later
he wrote back three days later
-
()
In repayment or retaliation
(
back
)
in repayment or retaliation
We paid back everything we had borrowed
we paid back everything we had borrowed
He hit me and I hit him back
he hit me and I hit him back
I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher
I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher
noun
-
()
The posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
(
dorsum
, back
)
the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
His back was nicely tanned
his back was nicely tanned
-
()
The side that goes last or is not normally seen
(
rear
, back
)
the side that goes last or is not normally seen
He wrote the date on the back of the photograph
he wrote the date on the back of the photograph
-
()
The part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer
(
back
, rear
)
the part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer
He stood at the back of the stage
he stood at the back of the stage
It was hidden in the rear of the store
it was hidden in the rear of the store
-
(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
(
back
)
(American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
-
A support that you can lean against while sitting
(
back
, backrest
)
a support that you can lean against while sitting
The back of the dental chair was adjustable
the back of the dental chair was adjustable
-
The part of a garment that covers the back of your body
(
back
)
the part of a garment that covers the back of your body
They pinned a kick me' sign on his back
they pinned a kick me' sign on his back
-
The protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
(
back
, binding
, book binding
, cover
)
the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
The book had a leather binding
the book had a leather binding
-
The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
(
back
, backbone
, rachis
, spinal column
, spine
, vertebral column
)
the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
The fall broke his back
the fall broke his back
-
(football) a person who plays in the backfield
(
back
)
(football) a person who plays in the backfield
verb
-
()
Be behind; approve of
(
plunk for
, indorse
, plump for
, back
, endorse
, support
)
be behind; approve of
He plumped for the Labor Party
He plumped for the Labor Party
I backed Kennedy in 1960
I backed Kennedy in 1960
-
()
Travel backward
(
back
)
travel backward
Back into the driveway
back into the driveway
The car backed up and hit the tree
The car backed up and hit the tree
-
()
Cause to travel backward
(
back
)
cause to travel backward
Back the car into the parking spot
back the car into the parking spot
-
()
Give support or one's approval to
(
indorse
, second
, endorse
, back
)
give support or one's approval to
I'll second that motion
I'll second that motion
I can't back this plan
I can't back this plan
Endorse a new project
endorse a new project
-
()
Support financial backing for
(
back
)
support financial backing for
Back this enterprise
back this enterprise
-
Strengthen by providing with a back or backing
(
back
)
strengthen by providing with a back or backing
-
Establish as valid or genuine
(
back
, back up
)
establish as valid or genuine
Can you back up your claims?
Can you back up your claims?
-
Shift to a counterclockwise direction
(
back
)
shift to a counterclockwise direction
The wind backed
the wind backed
-
Place a bet on
(
back
, gage
, game
, bet on
, punt
, stake
)
place a bet on
Which horse are you backing?
Which horse are you backing?
I'm betting on the new horse
I'm betting on the new horse
-
Be in back of
(
back
)
be in back of
My garage backs their yard
My garage backs their yard
