adj / adv · neutral
backward
UK/ˈbækwəd/US/ˈbækwɚd/BACK·ward
Band 5-6task2speaking
toward the back; not developed or progressive
Examples
“Some regions remain socially and economically backward.”
“He took a backward step and tripped over the box.”
“The term 'backward' is preferred in formal US writing; 'backwards' appears in speech.”
Band 8 sentence
“Rather than labelling entire communities as backward, policy makers should identify structural barriers to development.”
Collocations
- economically backward
- a backward step
- backward-looking policies
Word family
backward adj / advbackwards adv (Br, informal)backwardness noun
Common mistakes
This region is backwardly.→This region is backward.
He is behind in math means he is backward in math.→He is behind in math.
Say it for a higher band
5to the back→6behind→7+backward
Synonyms
underdeveloped
behind
Easily confused
behind
“Students who fall behind in class need extra help.”
Related words
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In -ward
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