Word Explorer

Back

/bæk/

The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Back"

noun

1
The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
"Could you please scratch my back?"
2
That which is farthest away from the front.
"He sat in the back of the room."
3
Upper part of a natural object which is considered to resemble an animal's back.
"The small boat raced over the backs of the waves."
4
A support or resource in reserve.

verb

1
To go in the reverse direction.
"the train backed into the station; the horse refuses to back"
2
To support.
"I back you all the way; which horse are you backing in this race?"
3
(of the wind) To change direction contrary to the normal pattern; that is, to shift anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, or clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
4
(of a square sail) To brace the yards so that the wind presses on the front of the sail, to slow the ship.

adjective

1
Near the rear.
"Go in the back door of the house."
2
Not current.
"I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine."
3
Far from the main area.
"They took a back road."
4
In arrear; overdue.
"They still owe three months' back rent."

adverb

1
To or in a previous condition or place.
"He gave back the money. He needs his money back. He was on vacation, but now he’s back. The office fell into chaos when you left, but now order is back."
2
Away from the front or from an edge.
"Sit all the way back in your chair."
3
In a manner that impedes.
"Fear held him back."
4
In a reciprocal manner; in return.
"If you hurt me, I'll hurt you back."

🔄 Synonyms of "Back"

30 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
supportnoun	(transitive) To help keep from falling.
endorseverb	(transitive) To express support or approval, especially officially or publicly; to give an endorsement.
substantiateverb	(transitive) To verify something by supplying evidence; to authenticate or corroborate.
coververb	A lid.
spinenoun	(anatomy, zootomy) A series of bones situated at the back from the head to the pelvis of a human, or from the head to the tail of an animal, enclosing the spinal cord and providing support for the thorax and abdomen.
gagenoun	To bind (someone) by pledge or security; to engage.
gamenoun	A playful or competitive activity.
puntnoun	(rugby, American football, Australian rules football, Gaelic football, soccer, transitive, intransitive) To kick a ball dropped from the hands before it hits the ground. (This puts the ball farther from the goal across which the opposing team is attempting to score, so improves the chances of the team punting.)
stakenoun	A share or interest in a business or a given situation.
rearnoun	(transitive) To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
back upverb	(idiomatic, computing, transitive) To copy (data) so that it can be restored if the main copy is lost.
backbonenoun	(countable) The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
dorsumnoun	(anatomy) The back or dorsal region on the surface of an animal.
bindingnoun	(of an agreement, contract, etc.) Imposing stipulations or requirements that must be honoured.
secondnoun	Number-two; following after the first one with nothing between them. The ordinal number corresponding to the cardinal number two.
backwardnoun	Indicating position or direction.
hindnoun	Located at the rear (most often said of animals' body parts).
indorseverb	(British, India, rare) Alternative form of endorse. [(transitive) To express support or approval, especially officially or publicly; to give an endorsement.]
rearwardnoun	Toward the back or rear of something.
backrestnoun	The back piece of a chair, used to support the sitter's back.
vertebral columnnoun	(anatomy) The series of vertebrae that protect the spinal cord; the spinal column.
plump forverb	(UK, informal) To choose; to select.
book bindingnoun	the front and back covering of a book
in reply	in answer
spinal columnnoun	(anatomy) The vertebral column.

↔️ Antonyms of "Back"

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
advancenoun	To help the progress of (something); to further.
lookverb	To try to see, to pay attention to with one’s eyes.
frontnoun	The foremost side of something or the end that faces the direction it normally moves.
facenoun	(anatomy) The front part of the head of a human or other animal, featuring the eyes, nose, and mouth, and the surrounding area.
forwardverb	(not comparable) Situated toward or at the front of something.
ahead	At or towards the front; in the direction one is facing or moving.
forrard	(dialectal, chiefly nautical) Forward.
frontwards	Towards the front.
forwards	Synonym of forward in most senses.
frontward	Frontwards.
bring forwardverb	To make something happen earlier than originally planned.
forradnoun	(representing dialect or variant pronunciation) Forehead.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Back"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
backward	Indicating position or direction.
rearward	Toward the back or rear of something.
rearwardsnoun	Rearward.
backwardsnoun	Synonym of backward; see usage notes there.
back upverb	(idiomatic, computing, transitive) To copy (data) so that it can be restored if the main copy is lost.
backmost	farthest back
rearmost	Furthest to the rear.
hindermost	hindmost
supportnoun	(transitive) To help keep from falling.
hinderverb	(transitive) To make difficult to accomplish; to act as an obstacle; to frustrate.
second	After the first occurrence but before the third.
substantiateverb	(transitive) To verify something by supplying evidence; to authenticate or corroborate.
endorseverb	(transitive) To express support or approval, especially officially or publicly; to give an endorsement.
bindingnoun	(of an agreement, contract, etc.) Imposing stipulations or requirements that must be honoured.
indorseverb	(British, India, rare) Alternative form of endorse. [(transitive) To express support or approval, especially officially or publicly; to give an endorsement.]
gagenoun	To bind (someone) by pledge or security; to engage.
gamenoun	A playful or competitive activity.
rear	(British, dialect) early; soon
coververb	A lid.
stakenoun	A share or interest in a business or a given situation.