back
(noun, adjective, verb, adverb)
adjective
1. related to or located at the back
- the back yard
- the back entrance
Similar word(s): posterior, backmost, hindermost, hindmost, rearmost, rear, rearward, aft
2. located at or near the back of an animal
- back (or hind) legs
Similar word(s): posterior, hind, hinder
3. of an earlier date
- back issues of the magazine
Similar word(s): noncurrent
Sentences with back as an adjective:
- Go in the back door of the house.
- I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
- They took a back road.
- back rent
- back action
- "U" in "rude" is a back vowel.
adverb
1. in or to or toward a former location
- she went back to her parents' house
2. at or to or toward the back or rear
- he moved back
- tripped when he stepped backward
Similar word(s): backward, backwards, rearward, rearwards
3. in or to or toward an original condition
- he went back to sleep
4. in or to or toward a past time
- set the clocks back an hour
- never look back
- lovers of the past looking fondly backward
Similar word(s): backward
5. in reply
- he wrote back three days later
6. in repayment or retaliation
- we paid back everything we had borrowed
- he hit me and I hit him back
- I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher
Sentences with back as an adverb:
- He gave back the money.
- Sit all the way back in your chair.
- Step back from the curb.
- Fear held him back.
- If you hurt me, I'll hurt you back.
noun
1. the posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine
- his back was nicely tanned
Similar word(s): dorsum
Definition categories: body
2. the side that goes last or is not normally seen
- he wrote the date on the back of the photograph
Similar word(s): rear
Definition categories: man–made, side
3. the part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer
- he stood at the back of the stage
Similar word(s): rear
Definition categories: location, place, position
4. (football) a person who plays in the backfield
Definition categories: person, footballer
5. the series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord
- the fall broke his back
Similar word(s): backbone, rachis, spine
Definition categories: body
6. the protective covering on the front, back, and spine of a book
Similar word(s): binding, cover
Definition categories: man–made, protection
7. the part of a garment that covers the back of your body
- they pinned a `kick me' sign on his back
Definition categories: man–made
8. a support that you can lean against while sitting
- the back of the dental chair was adjustable
Similar word(s): backrest
Definition categories: man–made, support
9. (American football) the position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
Definition categories: act, position
Sentences with back as a noun:
- Could you please scratch my back?
- I hurt my back lifting those crates.
- I still need to finish the back of your dress.
- Can you fix the back of this chair?
- He sat in the back of the room.
- Turn the book over and look at the back.
- The titles are printed on the backs of the books.
- Tap it with the back of your knife.
- I hung the clothes on the back of the door.
- We'll meet out in the back of the library.
- The car was near the back of the train.
- The backs were lined up in an I formation.
- The small boat raced over the backs of the waves.
- The ship's back broke in the pounding surf.
- Put some back into it!
- Could I get a martini with a water back?
verb
1. be behind; approve of
- I backed Kennedy in 1960
Similar word(s): endorse, indorse, support
Definition categories: social, approve, okay, sanction
2. travel backward
- back into the driveway
- The car backed up and hit the tree
Definition categories: motion, go, locomote, move, travel
3. give support or one's approval to
- I can't back this plan
Similar word(s): endorse, indorse, second
Definition categories: social, support
4. cause to travel backward
- back the car into the parking spot
Definition categories: motion
5. support financial backing for
- back this enterprise
Definition categories: possession, finance
6. be in back of
- My garage backs their yard
Definition categories: stative, lie
7. place a bet on
- Which horse are you backing?
Similar word(s): gage, game, punt, stake
Definition categories: competition, bet, play, wager
8. shift to a counterclockwise direction
- the wind backed
Definition categories: change, shift, switch
9. establish as valid or genuine
- Can you back up your claims?
Definition categories: change, affirm, confirm, corroborate, substantiate, support, sustain
10. strengthen by providing with a back or backing
Definition categories: change, strengthen
Sentences with back as a verb:
- the train backed into the station; the horse refuses to back
- I back you all the way; which horse are you backing in this race?
- to back oxen
- The mugger backed her into a corner and demanded her wallet.
- to back books
- to back a letter; to back a note or legal document
- to back the oars