Backhand

/ˈbækhænd/ · noun

Meaning

(tennis and other, racquet sports) A stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot..

Definitions by Sense

1. (tennis and other, racquet sports) A stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.
2. Handwriting that leans to the left.
3. (Ultimate Frisbee) The standard throw; a throw during which the disc begins on the off-hand side and travels across the chest to be released from the opposite side.
4. The back of the hand: the reverse side (dorsal side) of the human hand or other primate hand.
5. (surfing) The hand towards the back of the board.
6. To execute a backhand stroke or throw.
7. To slap with the back of one's hand.
8. (of handwriting) Slanting to the left.

Example Sentences

She has a mean backhand.

It was written in a shaky backhand.

I accidentally backhanded my opponent.

While Joe is driving, Bob gets upset and wants to go back to set up. Bob and Joe argue for a few seconds. Then, Bob grabs the wheel and nearly causes us to hit a tree. In response, Joe backhands Bob and tells him to immediately stop or he will get us killed. Bob says that he was just trying to get us back on track and that he was joking.

In great confusion, Gordon accepted the letter, broke its small crested seal, and began reading the neat back-hand scrawl.

He scored on a backhand shot.

Synonyms for backhand

Antonyms for backhand

Related Words

Word Forms

• backhands
• backhanding
• backhanded
• more backhand
• most backhand

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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