- back */*/*/
- I UK [bæk] / US
adverb
1)a) in the direction that is behind you
Don't look back, but there's a man following us.
He asked us to move back a few yards.
b) in a position where your back is leaning backwardslean/sit/lie back:She leant back in her chair.
I'm going to sit back and read the paper for a while.
2) away from someone or something, especially because they are dangerousGet back – he's got a gun!
Everybody stand back while I light the fire.
a) away from an original position or placePeel this label back to see if you have won a prize.
The band started playing as the curtain slowly went back.
b) away from your faceHer hair was tied back in a ponytail.
3) returning to a place or positionI'm never going back home.
Put those CDs back where you found them.
a) returning to an earlier state or conditionWe're hoping things will be back to normal again soon.
I couldn't get back to sleep.
b) returning to a previous point in a discussionCan we go back to what we were talking about earlier?
4)a) as a reply to someoneJane phoned, and I said you'd phone her back later.
"Have you any idea where we are?" "No", Dan shouted back.
b) doing the same thing to someone as they have done to youlook/stare/smile etc back:He punched me, so I punched him back.
Geoff was staring back at me in disbelief.
5) used for talking about a period of time in the pastBack in the '70s, disco music was very popular.
She had a minor operation a few years back.
Things were different back then.
a) to a period of time in the pastThink back: don't you remember anything?
b) to an earlier time on a clock or watchset/put the clock back:Don't forget to set the clocks back an hour tonight.
6)a) in a place that you have mentioned before, but that is different from the one you have just been talking aboutBack at the hospital, the baby had just been born.
b) used for talking about a place where you live or work or used to live or work when you are in a different placeI have no idea what's going on back home.
Back in Spain, we used to spend summer in the mountains.
7) towards the beginning of something such as a journey or a bookYou should have got off three stops back.
Go back a couple of pages.
•See:
II UK [bæk] / US adjective [only before noun]1) furthest from the frontThere's a map on the back page.
the back garden
the back bedroom
See:back door2) used for describing money that is owed from an earlier date and has not been paid yetback wages/taxes/rent
•back street/road/lane
— a street/road etc that is away from any main streetsHis shop was down a little back street.
back three/four/five
— the players in a football or hockey team whose job is to defend (= stop the other team from scoring goals)We couldn't get the ball past their back four.
III UK [bæk] / US noun [countable]
Word forms "back":
singular back plural backs1) the part of your body between your neck and your bottom, on the opposite side to your chest and stomach. The row of bones inside the back is called the backbone or spineWill you scratch my back for me?
(flat) on your back:He's broken his back, but he's still alive.
She was lying flat on her back on the bed.
2)a) the part of something that is furthest from the frontback of:Get in the back of the car.
The sun burnt the back of my neck.
b) the part of a chair that you lean on when you are sitting on itWhat's that mark on the back of the sofa?
3) an outside area behind a house or other buildingout/round the back:The kids are playing out the back.
4)a) the side of a page, card, picture etc that is not the main sideon the back:back of:a concert programme with Madonna's autograph on the back
I'll put my name on the back of the envelope.
b) the last part of a book, newspaper etcback of:in/at the back:A page had been torn out of the back of the book.
a dictionary with a list of irregular verbs at the back
5)a) a player in a football or hockey team whose job is to defend (= stop the other team from scoring goals)b) one of the positions on a team where a back plays, behind the front line of players•at/in the back of your mind
— if something is at the back of your mind, you are thinking about it or it is affecting how you behave, perhaps without your realizing itThe thought that Paul might leave was always at the back of her mind.
informal to annoy someoneget/put someone's back up
— British
Don't ask him about it any more or you'll get his back up.
glad/happy/pleased to see the back of
— informal happy when you no longer have to deal with someone or something because they are annoying or unpleasantcan't wait to see the back of:I was glad to see the back of that computer – it was nothing but trouble.
His wife couldn't wait to see the back of him.
See:beyond II, turn I
IV UK [bæk] / US verb
Word forms "back":
present tense I/you/we/they back he/she/it backs present participle backing past tense backed past participle backed1)a) [transitive] to give support to a person, organization, or plan, making them more likely to succeedback someone on something:Both main parties are backing these proposals.
We'll back you all the way on this one!
b) [usually passive] to make an order or request more effective by threatening to do something if people do not do what you wantSchools need to have clear rules on bullying, backed by a system of punishments.
2)a) [intransitive/transitive] to move backwards, or to make someone move backwardsback into/onto/out of etc:She backed out of the room carrying a tray.
He backed me into a corner at the party.
b) to make a car move backwardsCould you just back onto the driveway?
3) [transitive] to bet (= risk money) that a particular person or animal will win a race or competitionI'm backing France to win the championship.
4) [transitive, always passive] if a place is backed by something, it has something at the back of it or directly behind ita large garden backed by trees
5) [transitive, often passive] music to play or sing the music that goes with the main singer or musician's performancePhrasal verbs:Manilow was backed by a full orchestra.
- back off- back out- back upSee:horse I
English dictionary. 2014.