/ ˈbækwədz; NAmE -wərdz/ (also back·ward especially in NAmE ) adverb
1.
towards a place or position that is behind :
I lost my balance and fell backwards.
He took a step backwards.
OPP forward
2.
in the opposite direction to the usual one :
'Ambulance' is written backwards so you can read it in the mirror.
In the movie they take a journey backwards through time.
3.
towards a worse state :
I felt that going to live with my parents would be a step backwards.
OPP forward
4.
( NAmE ) = back to front at back noun
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IDIOMS
- backward(s) and forward(s)
- bend / lean over backwards (to do sth)
—more at know verb