Backward or Backwards | Spelling & Definition
Backwards and backward are two different spellings of basically the same word. As an adverb, both ways of spelling the word are acceptable in American English and British English, although there is a strong preference for backward in American English. In British English, backwards is prevalent, but the preference is not as strong.
As an adjective, only backward is recognized as a standard spelling in both American English and British English.
It was a classic mistake—looking backwards/backward instead of paying attention to the road ahead.
Sean started to panic as the current was sweeping him backwards/backward no matter how hard he paddled the kayak.
- towards/toward
- upwards/upward
- afterwards/afterward
You can use the QuillBot Grammar Checker, which has selectable language regions, to make sure you have the correct spelling of “backwards” or “backward” and all these other examples.
Backward or backwards as an adjective
When used as an adjective, the only widely accepted spelling is backward. Although you will sometimes find it spelled backwards (especially in informal English), the more common spelling in academic writing is backward.
- With the confidence only a five-year-old can have, Sam set off without a backwards glance.
- With the confidence only a five-year-old can have, Sam set off without a backward glance.
- Angela couldn’t help but think that the committee had just taken a big backwards step.
- Angela couldn’t help but think that the committee had just taken a big backward step.
- After years of stasis, the employees were delighted that the new management team didn’t have the same backwards outlook as their predecessors.
- After years of stasis, the employees were delighted that the new management team didn’t have the same backward outlook as their predecessors.
Backwards or backwards as an adverb
In American English, the usual spelling of the adverb is backward, and in British English, backwards is more common. However, both are widely accepted in both regional variants.
Michael Jackson perfected the “moonwalk,” where the body performs the actions of forward motion, while actually traveling backward/backwards.
Running the video backward/backwards, you could see that the recording had actually been done in reverse to trick the viewer.
Main differences between American and British English
American and British English are very similar, but there are a few main differences in spelling. Five important differences are:
| Difference | Rule | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| -or vs -our | In American English, many Latin-derived words end in -or. | Behavior or behaviour |
| In British English, these same words end in -our. | ||
| -er vs -re | In American English, some French, Latin, or Greek words end in -er. | Theater or theatre
Meter or metre Liter or litre Saber or sabre Fiber or fibre |
| In British English, these same words end in -re. | ||
| -ize vs -ise | In American English, many Greek-derived words end in -yze or -ize. | Realize or realise
Organize or organise Minimize or minimise Finalize or finalise |
| In British English, these words end in -yse or -ise. | ||
| -ed vs -t | In American English, most verbs are regular and form their past tense with the suffix -ed. | Learned or learnt |
| In British English, some of these verbs are irregular and form their past tense with the suffix -t. | ||
| Single vs double consonant | In American English, many words are spelled with a single consonant. | Modeling or modelling |
| In British English, these same words are often spelled with a double consonant. |
Frequently asked questions about backward or backwards
- What is a synonym for backwards?
-
There are several possible synonyms for backwards, including:
- In reverse
- Back
- In the opposite direction
- Rearwards
- Behind
You can spell the adverb either backward or backwards. There is some difference in prevalence between American English and British English, but in both cases it can be spelled either way.
The QuillBot Paraphrasing Tool is a useful way to find synonyms to ensure your writing doesn’t become repetitive.
