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back

 
pronunciation:
baek
parts of speech:
noun, transitive verb, intransitive verb, adjective, adverb
phrases:
back and forth, back out of, back up, behind one's back, turn one's back on
features:
Word Combinations (noun, verb, adjective), Word Explorer
part of speech: noun
definition 1: the part of a human or other vertebrate that is on the opposite side from the chest and abdomen and between the neck and the tailbone.
 
similar words:
posterior
definition 2: the backbone; spine.
She felt a shiver down her back.
synonyms:
backbone, rachis, spinal column, spine
similar words:
chine, vertebrae
definition 3: the part or side that is opposite the front; reverse; rear.
I didn't see his face because I only saw the back of him.She found the blanket in the back of the car.Put your name on the back of this paper.
 
synonyms:
backside, rear, reverse
antonyms:
face, front
similar words:
rear end, stern
definition 4: a support at the rear.
the back of the chair
similar words:
backing, backrest, support
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phrase: behind one's back, turn one's back on
 
part of speech: transitive verb
inflections: backs, backing, backed
definition 1: to move (something) in the reverse or opposite direction; cause to go backward.
She carefully backed the car out of the garage.
 
synonyms:
reverse
antonyms:
advance
definition 2: to formally give support to.
The President has promised to back the governor in the next election.
synonyms:
endorse
antonyms:
oppose
similar words:
advocate, aid, assist, champion, help, patronize, promote, sanction, sponsor, support, sustain, underwrite, uphold
definition 3: to substantiate with facts or logic (often fol. by "up").
He was not able to back up his claim that the earth is flat.
synonyms:
corroborate, substantiate, validate
similar words:
confirm, establish, justify, sustain, vouch for
definition 4: to bet on the success of.
The horse he backed came in the winner today.
synonyms:
bet on
similar words:
stake
 
part of speech: intransitive verb
definition: to move backward or in the reverse direction (often fol. by "up").
He'd gone too far into the intersection and had to back up.
synonyms:
retreat, reverse
antonyms:
advance
similar words:
back-pedal, backtrack, recede, withdraw
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phrase: back out of, back up
 
part of speech: adjective
definition 1: located in or near the rear of something else.
The children always ride in the back seat of the car.
synonyms:
rear
antonyms:
front
similar words:
aft, dorsal, hind, posterior, reverse, tail, wrong
definition 2: owed from an earlier time; overdue.
back pay
synonyms:
overdue
similar words:
late, tardy
definition 3: not current; old.
back issues of a newspaper
antonyms:
future
similar words:
expired, former, old, out-of-date, past
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part of speech: adverb
definition 1: toward the direction that is opposite from forward; backward; away.
The police ordered the crowd to move back.
definition 2: in the direction of an earlier time or a former place or position.
She thought back to happier times when she was in school.He'd reached the bus stop when he realized he had to go back home for his wallet.She put the book back on the shelf.
definition 3: in return or in reply.
She left me a message when she phoned, but I forgot to call her back.He hit me, and I hit him back.
phrase: back and forth
derivation: backless (adj.)
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