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Added 8 October 2026

back

/bæk/ noun

Categories: The BodyThingsEveryday Words

In Latin: postīcus Wiktionary

noun Definition from WordNet 3.1, Princeton University. Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about back at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

  1. The posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine.
    his back was nicely tanned
  2. The side that goes last or is not normally seen.
    he wrote the date on the back of the photograph
  3. The part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer.
    he stood at the back of the stage

verb

  1. Be behind; approve of.
    He plumped for the Labor Party
  2. Travel backward.
    back into the driveway
  3. Give support or one's approval to.
    I'll second that motion

adjective

  1. Related to or located at the back.
    the back yard
  2. Located at or near the back of an animal.
    back (or hind) legs
  3. Of an earlier date.
    back issues of the magazine

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
  3. In or to or toward an original condition.
    he went back to sleep

Origin

From Middle English bak, from Old English bæc, from Proto-West Germanic *bak, from Proto-Germanic *baką, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg- (“to bend”). The adverb represents an aphetic form of aback. Compare Middle Low German bak (“back”), from Old Saxon bak, and West Frisian bekling (“chair back”), Old High German bah, Swedish and Norwegian bak. Cognate with German Bache (“sow [adult female hog]”).

From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)

Related Words: backwardrearwardrearwardsbackwardsbackmostrearmosthindermostsupporthindersecondsubstantiate

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