adj.
- directed behind or to the rear.
- having made less progress than is normal or expected.
▸(of a person) having learning difficulties.
-
[with neg.]
(backward in)
lacking the confidence to do:
he was not backward in displaying his talents.
- Cricket (of a fielding position) behind an imaginary line passing through the stumps at the batsman's end at right angles to the wicket.
adv.
variant of
backwards.
Derivative
- backwardly adv.
- backwardness n.
Etymology
ME: from earlier abackward, from aback.