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Added 2 October 2026

behind

/bɪˈhaɪnd/ preposition

In Latin: post, pōne Wiktionary

preposition Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about behind at Wordnik → Where our words come from →

At or to the back or far side of.
The children were hiding behind the wall.
Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).
Behind the smile was a cruel intention.
In the past, from the viewpoint of.
All my problems are behind me.

adverb

At or in the rear or back part of something.
The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.
In a rearward direction.
We ran and ran, without once looking behind.
So as to come after someone or something in position, distance, advancement, ranking, time, etc.
The slower runners were left a long way behind.

adjective

Not advanced to the required or expected degree; overdue or in arrears.
I'm very behind in my schedule.

noun

The rear, back-end.
This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.
The buttocks, bottom, butt.
I was stung on the behind by a wasp.
Synonym of ass (“synecdochic: a person or their body”).
Get your lazy behind out of bed!

Origin

From Middle English behinde, behinden, from Old English behindan (“on the back side of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihindan, *bihindini (“on the back side of, in the rear of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bi- + *hindō (“the hind side, back part”), equivalent to be- + hind. Compare Old Saxon bihindan (“behind”, adverb), Middle High German behinter (“behind; back”).

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

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