back
back
Pronunciation
The IPA phonetic spelling for "back" is /bæk/.
/bæ/
/k/
Word Form Variations
Noun:
Singular: back
Plural: backs
Verb:
Base form: back
Third-person singular present: backs
Past simple: backed
Past participle: backed
Present participle: backing
Adjective: back (no common variations for degree or number)
Adverb: back (no common variations for degree)
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
The rear surface of the human body, from the shoulders to the hips.
Synonyms: spine, dorsum
Antonyms: front, chest
Example: He lay on his back, staring at the ceiling.
The side or part of an object that is opposite the front, or the part that is less often seen or used.
Synonyms: rear, reverse, posterior
Antonyms: front, face
Example: The back of the house faces the garden.
Support or assistance given to someone or something.
Synonyms: support, aid, help, backing
Antonyms: opposition, hindrance, obstruction
Example: The team's success was due to the back of their loyal fans.
Verb
To move backward, or to cause something to move backward.
Synonyms: retreat, reverse, withdraw
Antonyms: advance, proceed, move forward
Example: She backed away from the barking dog.
Example: He backed the car into the driveway.
To support or endorse someone or something.
Synonyms: support, endorse, uphold, champion
Antonyms: oppose, undermine, hinder
Example: The senator decided to back the new legislation.
To provide a foundation or basis for something; to corroborate.
Synonyms: substantiate, corroborate, confirm, verify
Antonyms: contradict, refute, disprove
Example: The evidence backed up her claims of innocence.
Adjective
Situated at the rear; coming from behind.
Synonyms: rear, hind, posterior
Antonyms: front, forward, leading
Example: They entered through the back door.
Due to be paid or done at an earlier time.
Synonyms: overdue, outstanding, arrears
Antonyms: current, timely, prompt
Example: He received a check for back pay.
Adverb
To or toward the rear.
Synonyms: backward, rearward
Antonyms: forward, onward
Example: She stepped back to let him pass.
In or to a previous position, state, or time.
Synonyms: previously, formerly, ago, again
Antonyms: forward, ahead, later
Example: He looked back on his childhood with fondness.
Examples of Use
Books:
"He felt a chill run down his back as he realized the true danger of their situation." (From a fictional novel, general usage)
"The detective went back to the scene of the crime, hoping to find a new clue." (From a mystery novel, indicating return to a place)
"In the back of her mind, a nagging doubt persisted." (From a literary work, referring to a hidden thought or feeling)
Newspapers:
"The city council voted to back the proposed downtown revitalization project." (From a local newspaper, meaning to support)
"Traffic was backed up for miles on the highway after the accident." (From a national newspaper, referring to a queue or obstruction)
"New evidence throws the entire case back into question." (From a legal section of a newspaper, indicating a return to an unresolved state)
Online Publications:
"Tech giant announces new feature that allows users to easily back up their data to the cloud." (From a technology news website, referring to creating a copy for safety)
"Commenters were quick to back the author's strong stance on climate change." (From an online opinion piece, meaning to agree with or support)
"Looking back at the fashion trends of the early 2000s, it's clear some styles should stay in the past." (From a fashion blog, referring to reminiscing)
Various Entertainment Mediums and Platforms:
Film: (Dialogue in a movie) "Get back! Don't come any closer!" (Command to retreat)
Television Show: (Narration on a documentary) "The migration of the wildebeest takes them back to the Serengeti plains each year." (Referring to a return journey)
Song Lyrics: "I'll be right back, don't you worry 'bout a thing." (Pop song, promising a quick return)
Video Game: (On-screen prompt) "Press X to back out of the menu." (Instruction to exit)
Podcast: (Host speaking) "Let's loop back to what we were discussing earlier about artificial intelligence." (Referring to returning to a previous topic)
General Public Discourse:
"Can you hand me the book from the back seat of the car?" (Everyday conversation, referring to a location)
"I need to get back to work, I've got a deadline looming." (Common phrase, indicating a return to an activity)
"His back was against the wall, and he had no choice but to fight." (Idiomatic expression, meaning to be in a desperate situation)
"Don't worry, I've got your back." (Colloquialism, meaning to support someone)
"She kept getting back to the main point, even when others tried to derail the conversation." (Describing persistence in discussion)
10 Famous Quotes Using Back
"I'll be back." (Arnold Schwarzenegger as The Terminator in The Terminator)
"Get off my back!" (Often used idiomatically in general discourse, famously in Goodfellas)
"We have nothing to fear but fear itself." (Franklin D. Roosevelt, though sometimes misquoted to include "the fear of going back")
"You can't go back home to your mother." (From the song "My Back Pages" by Bob Dylan)
"I look back at my life and it's like a movie. All the things I've done, the places I've been." (Frank Sinatra, often attributed)
"Put your back into it!" (Traditional encouragement for hard physical work, widely used)
"Never look back, unless you are planning to go that way." (Henry David Thoreau)
"When you reach the end of your rope, tie a knot in it and hang on." (Often attributed to Theodore Roosevelt, a metaphorical quote about not giving back or giving up)
"No one can make you feel inferior without your consent." (Eleanor Roosevelt, implying not letting others push you back)
"The best way out is always through." (Robert Frost, suggesting facing challenges head-on rather than turning back)
Etymology
The word "back" has a long and interesting history, going way back (pun intended!) to ancient Germanic languages.
Its earliest known use in Old English (before 1150 AD) was as the noun "bæc," referring to the rear part of the human body, from the shoulders to the hips, or the corresponding part of an animal. This meaning is thought to come from an even older Proto-Germanic word "baką", which might ultimately relate to a Proto-Indo-European word meaning "to bend."
Over time, "back" started to be used in other ways. The adverbial sense, meaning "to or toward the rear" or "in the past," came from a shortened form of the Old English phrase "on bæc," meaning "backwards" or "behind." So, while it started as just a body part, it quickly expanded to describe direction, time, and even support or returning to a previous state.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Back
Back up: To support someone or something; to move backward; to make a copy of data.
Back down: To withdraw from a position or argument.
Back out: To withdraw from an agreement or commitment.
Back and forth: Moving in one direction and then the opposite repeatedly.
Behind one's back: Without one's knowledge or consent, often in a deceptive way.
Have one's back: To support or defend someone.
Get off one's back: To stop bothering or criticizing someone.
Stab someone in the back: To betray someone.
Put one's back into it: To exert a great deal of effort.
Break one's back: To work extremely hard.
Turn one's back on: To abandon or ignore someone or something.
On the back burner: Postponed or given lower priority.
Back to square one: To return to the beginning after a failure or setback.
Back to basics: To return to fundamental principles or skills.
To know something like the back of one's hand: To know something extremely well.
With one's back against the wall: In a desperate or difficult situation.
Talk back: To reply rudely or defiantly.
Back of beyond: A very remote or isolated place.
Back number: An old issue of a periodical; an old-fashioned person or thing.
To get one's own back: To get revenge.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of back from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
