Back
Definition, Meaning & Examples
Pronunciation /bæk/ · Part of speech adjective
Quick meaning: Back is an adjective meaning At or near the rear.
Meaning
At or near the rear.
More Meanings
- (predicative) Returned or restored to a previous place or condition.
- Not current.
- Situated away from the main or most frequented areas.
- In arrears; overdue.
- Moving or operating backward.
- (not comparable) To or in a previous condition or place.
- (comparable, phonetics) Pronounced with the highest part of the body of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, near the soft palate (most often describing a vowel).
Example Sentences
They took a back road.
Go in the back door of the house.
He lives out in the back country.
He was on vacation, but now he’s back.
Word Forms
- backs
- backing
- backed
Synonyms for back
Depending on context, synonyms include rear, previous, reverse, dorsum, spine, support.
Antonyms for back
Common opposites include front, current, main, veer, advance, look.
Related Words
Related dictionary entries include backward, rearward, backwards, back up, backmost, rearmost.
Related Dictionary Tools
Practice “back” in a Crossword
Recall this definition from a clue, use crossing letters, and review the word again when you solve it.
Sources & Attribution
FreeDictionaryAPI.com / Wiktionary · Original source · CC BY-SA 4.0
Dictionary data is provided by FreeDictionaryAPI.com and sourced from Wiktionary under its stated license.