Back vs. Rear — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on October 12, 2023
"Back" refers to the opposite of the front, often of a person or thing, while "Rear" denotes the hindmost part, especially in relation to a vehicle or animal.
Difference Between Back and Rear
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Back" is a versatile word in English, encompassing a range of uses, from the physical aspect of a person, like one's spinal region, to a location's relative position, such as the back of a building. On the other hand, "Rear" is more narrowly defined, commonly alluding to the hindmost part of something, often a vehicle or animal.
In everyday parlance, when people refer to the "Back" of a line, they imply the end part or last position. However, when someone speaks of the "Rear" of a car, they're pinpointing the tail end of the vehicle. These distinctions highlight the contextual differences between the terms.
Another perspective is that "Back" has broader idiomatic uses. Phrases like "back in the day" or "back to basics" capitalize on its more abstract connotations. "Rear", in contrast, remains rooted in its physical implications, as in "bringing up the rear", which means coming last in a sequence.
While both "Back" and "Rear" can refer to direction or position, "Back" tends to have a more human-centric use, often related to posture or anatomy. For instance, someone might have a "sore back". Conversely, "Rear" is more object-oriented, such as the "rear wheels" of a bicycle.
Lastly, "Back" is not only a noun but also an adverb, adjective, and verb, implying return or support. "Rear", predominantly a noun or adjective, can also be a verb, but mainly in contexts of raising or nurturing.
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Comparison Chart
Primary Use
Opposite of front, especially of a person or thing.
Hindmost part, especially of a vehicle.
Contextual Use
Can be human-centric.
More object-oriented.
Idiomatic Expressions
Abundant, e.g., "back in the day".
Fewer, e.g., "bringing up the rear".
Parts of Speech
Noun, adverb, adjective, verb.
Noun, adjective, verb.
Relational Direction
Can imply the opposite or return.
Often denotes the end or last part.
Compare with Definitions
Back
The opposite side to the front.
The label is on the back of the package.
Rear
The space or position at the back of something.
He sat in the rear of the room.
Back
A person's spine and surrounding region.
She lay on her back looking at the sky.
Rear
To raise or nurture.
She decided to rear her children in the countryside.
Back
Supporting or approving someone or something.
I've got your back in this matter.
Rear
The buttocks.
He slipped and landed on his rear.
Back
Direction away from the front or from the viewer.
He walked back towards the house.
Rear
A hind part.
Back
The part of the trunk of the human body along and to the sides of the spine between the neck and the pelvis; the dorsum.
Rear
The point or area farthest from the front
The rear of the hall.
Back
The analogous dorsal region in other animals.
Rear
The part of a military deployment usually farthest from the fighting front.
Back
The backbone or spine.
Rear
(Informal) The buttocks.
Back
The part or area farthest from the front.
Rear
Of, at, or located in the rear.
Back
The part opposite to or behind that adapted for view or use
The back of the hand.
Wrote on the back of the photograph.
Rear
To care for (children or a child) during the early stages of life; bring up. See Usage Note at raise.
Back
The reverse side, as of a coin.
Rear
To tend (growing plants or animals).
Back
A part that supports or strengthens from the rear
The back of a couch.
Rear
To build; erect.
Back
The part of a book where the pages are stitched or glued together into the binding.
Rear
(Archaic) To lift upright; raise.
Back
The binding itself.
Rear
To rise on the hind legs, as a horse.
Back
A player who takes a position behind the front line of other players in certain games, such as football and soccer.
Rear
To rise high in the air; tower.
Back
In swimming, backstroke.
Rear
(transitive) To bring up to maturity, as offspring; to educate; to instruct; to foster.
Back
A shallow vat or tub used chiefly by brewers.
Rear
To breed and raise.
The family has been rearing cattle for 200 years.
Back
To cause to move backward or in a reverse direction
Back the car up and then make the turn.
Rear
(intransitive) To rise up on the hind legs
The horse was shocked, and thus reared.
Back
To furnish or strengthen with a back or backing.
Rear
To get angry.
Back
To provide with financial or material support
Unions backed the pro-labor candidate.
Rear
(intransitive) To rise high above, tower above.
Back
To lend moral support to, as by corroborating a claim. Often used with up
I'm not comfortable filing a complaint if you won't back me up.
Rear
To raise physically or metaphorically; to lift up; to cause to rise, to elevate.
The monster slowly reared its head.
Back
To be in favor of; endorse or advocate
Backed the reform proposal.
Rear
To construct by building; to set up
To rear defenses or houses
To rear one government on the ruins of another.
Back
To provide with musical accompaniment. Often used with up.
Rear
To raise spiritually; to lift up; to elevate morally.
Back
To bet or wager on.
Rear
To lift and take up.
Back
To adduce evidence in support of; substantiate
Backed the argument with facts.
Rear
To rouse; to strip up.
Back
To form the back or background of
Snowcapped mountains back the village.
Rear
To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
Back
To move backward
Backed out of the garage.
Rear
To sodomize perform anal sex
Back
To shift to a counterclockwise direction. Used of the wind.
Rear
(transitive) To move; stir.
Back
Located or placed in the rear
Deliveries should be made at the back entrance.
Rear
To carve.
Rear that goose!
Back
Distant from a center of activity; remote.
Rear
(regional, obsolete) To revive, bring to life, quicken. (only in the phrase, to rear to life)
Back
Of a past date; not current
A back issue of a periodical.
Rear
Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost
The rear rank of a company
Sit in the rear seats of a car
Back
Being owed or due from an earlier time; in arrears
Back pay.
Rear
(of eggs) Underdone; nearly raw.
Back
Being in a backward direction
A back step.
Rear
(of meats) Rare.
Back
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the back of the tongue, as oo in cool. Used of vowels.
Rear
Early; soon
Back
At, to, or toward the rear or back.
Rear
The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order.
Back
In, to, or toward a former location
Went back for the class reunion.
Rear
(military) Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
Back
In, to, or toward a former condition
When the spell broke, the prince turned back into a frog.
Rear
(anatomy) The buttocks or bottom.
Back
In, to, or toward a past time
This story goes back to the 1920s.
Rear
Early; soon.
Then why does Cuddy leave his cot so rear?
Back
In reserve or concealment
We kept back some money for emergencies.
Rear
The back or hindmost part; that which is behind, or last in order; - opposed to front.
Nipped with the lagging rear of winter's frost.
Back
In check or under restraint
Barriers held the crowd back.
Rear
Specifically, the part of an army or fleet which comes last, or is stationed behind the rest.
When the fierce foe hung on our broken rear.
Back
In reply or return
Emailed back that he would be late.
Rear
Being behind, or in the hindmost part; hindmost; as, the rear rank of a company.
Back
At or near the rear.
Go in the back door of the house.
Rear
To place in the rear; to secure the rear of.
Back
(predicative) Returned or restored to a previous place or condition.
He was on vacation, but now he’s back.
The office fell into chaos when you left, but now order is back.
Rear
To raise; to lift up; to cause to rise, become erect, etc.; to elevate; as, to rear a monolith.
In adoration at his feet I fellSubmiss; he reared me.
It reareth our hearts from vain thoughts.
Mine [shall be] the first hand to rear her banner.
Back
Not current.
I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
Rear
To erect by building; to set up; to construct; as, to rear defenses or houses; to rear one government on the ruins of another.
One reared a font of stone.
Back
Situated away from the main or most frequented areas.
They took a back road.
He lives out in the back country.
Rear
To lift and take up.
And having her from Trompart lightly reared,Upon his courser set the lovely load.
Back
In arrears; overdue.
They still owe three months' back rent.
Rear
To bring up to maturity, as young; to educate; to instruct; to foster; as, to rear offspring.
He wants a father to protect his youth,And rear him up to virtue.
Back
Moving or operating backward.
Back action
Rear
To breed and raise; as, to rear cattle.
Back
Pronounced with the highest part of the body of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, near the soft palate (most often describing a vowel).
Rear
To rouse; to stir up.
And seeks the tusky boar to rear.
Back
(not comparable) To or in a previous condition or place.
He gave back the money.
I left my mobile phone back at the hotel. I'll have to go back and get it.
Rear
To rise up on the hind legs, as a horse; to become erect.
Back
In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
Someone pushed me in the chest and I fell back.
The grandfather clock toppled back and crashed to the ground.
Her arm was bent back at an odd angle.
Rear
The back of a military formation or procession;
Infantrymen were in the rear
Back
In a direction opposite to the usual or desired direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively.
Wind the film back a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks back by one hour tonight!
This mishap has set the project back considerably.
Rear
The side of an object that is opposite its front;
His room was toward the rear of the hotel
Back
So as to reverse direction and return.
The light bounces back off the mirror.
Rear
The part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer;
He stood at the back of the stage
It was hidden in the rear of the store
Back
Towards, into or in the past.
These records go back years.
He built a time machine and travelled back to 1800.
Think back to how you felt last year.
Everything was simpler back in the old days.
Rear
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
Back
Away from someone or something; at a distance.
Keep back! It could explode at any moment!
Rear
The side that goes last or is not normally seen;
He wrote the date on the back of the photograph
Back
Away from the front or from an edge.
Sit all the way back in your chair.
Rear
Stand up on the hind legs, of quadrupeds;
The horse reared in terror
Back
So as shrink, recede or move aside, or cause to do so.
This tree is dying back.
Clear back all this vegetation.
Draw back the curtains and let in some light.
Rear
Bring up;
Raise a family
Bring up children
Back
In a manner that impedes.
Fear held him back.
Rear
Rise up;
The building rose before them
Back
(not comparable) In a reciprocal manner; in return.
If you hurt me, I'll hurt you back.
Rear
Cause to rise up
Back
(postpositive) Earlier, ago.
We met many years back.
I last saw him a day or two back.
Rear
Construct, build, or erect;
Raise a barn
Back
To a later point in time. See also put back.
The meeting has been moved back an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 4 o'clock.
Rear
Located in or toward the back or rear;
The chair's rear legs
The rear door of the plane
On the rearward side
Back
The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
Could you please scratch my back?
Rear
The hindmost part of something.
The rear bumper was dented.
Back
The spine and associated tissues.
I hurt my back lifting those crates.
Rear
The back end of a military formation.
The general stayed in the rear while the soldiers advanced.
Back
Large and attractive buttocks.
Back
(figurative) The part of a piece of clothing which covers the back.
I still need to finish the back of your dress.
Back
The backrest, the part of a piece of furniture which receives the human back.
Can you fix the back of this chair?
Back
(obsolete) That part of the body that bears clothing. (Now used only in the phrase clothes on one's back.)
Back
That which is farthest away from the front.
He sat in the back of the room.
Back
The side of any object which is opposite the front or useful side.
Turn the book over and look at the back.
Back
The reverse side; the side that is not normally seen.
I hung the clothes on the back of the door.
Back
Area behind, such as the backyard of a house.
We'll meet out in the back of the library.
Back
The part of something that goes last.
The car was near the back of the train.
Back
(sports) In some team sports, a position behind most players on the team.
The backs were lined up in an I formation.
Back
(figuratively) Upper part of a natural object which is considered to resemble an animal's back.
The small boat raced over the backs of the waves.
Back
A support or resource in reserve.
Back
(nautical) The keel and keelson of a ship.
The ship's back broke in the pounding surf.
Back
(mining) The roof of a horizontal underground passage.
Back
Effort, usually physical.
Put some back into it!
Back
A non-alcoholic drink (often water or a soft drink), to go with hard liquor or a cocktail.
Could I get a martini with a water back?
Back
Among leather dealers, one of the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
Back
(swimming) backstroke
Back
A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
Back
A ferryboat.
Back
(intransitive) To go in the reverse direction.
The train backed into the station;
The horse refuses to back
Back
(transitive) To support.
I back you all the way;
Which horse are you backing in this race?
Back
To change direction contrary to the normal pattern; that is, to shift anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, or clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
Back
To brace the yards so that the wind presses on the front of the sail, to slow the ship.
Back
To lay out a second, smaller anchor to provide additional holding power.
Back
To stand still behind another dog which has pointed.
Back
(transitive) To push or force backwards.
To back oxen
The mugger backed her into a corner and demanded her wallet.
Back
To get upon the back of; to mount.
Back
To place or seat upon the back.
Back
To make a back for; to furnish with a back.
To back books
Back
To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
Back
To write upon the back of, possibly as an endorsement.
To back a letter;
To back a note or legal document
Back
To sign or endorse (a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender).
Back
To row backward with (oars).
To back the oars
Back
To carry an infant on one's back.
Back
A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
Back
A ferryboat. See Bac, 1.
Back
In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster.
Back
An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.
[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheaveInto the clouds.
Back
The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail.
Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this,Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss.
Back
The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney.
Back
The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village.
Back
The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
Back
A support or resource in reserve.
This projectShould have a back or second, that might hold,If this should blast in proof.
Back
The keel and keelson of a ship.
Back
The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.
Back
A garment for the back; hence, clothing.
A bak to walken inne by daylight.
Back
Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements.
Back
Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
Back
Moving or operating backward; as, back action.
Back
To get upon the back of; to mount.
I will back him [a horse] straight.
Back
To place or seat upon the back.
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed,Appeared to me.
Back
To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.
Back
To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.
Back
To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
A garden . . . with a vineyard backed.
The chalk cliffs which back the beach.
Back
To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.
Back
To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend.
Have still found it necessary to back and fortify their laws with rewards and punishments.
The mate backed the captain manfully.
Back
To bet on the success of; - as, to back a race horse.
Back
To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.
Back
To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; - used of the wind.
Back
To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; - said of a dog.
Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out.
Back
In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back.
Back
To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it.
Back
To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism.
Back
Of time) In times past; ago.
Back
Away from contact; by reverse movement.
The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back the stone from the door.
Back
In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another.
Back
In a state of restraint or hindrance.
The Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
Back
In return, repayment, or requital.
What have I to give you back?
Back
In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back the offensive words.
Back
In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent.
Back
The posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine;
His back was nicely tanned
Back
The side that goes last or is not normally seen;
He wrote the date on the back of the photograph
Back
The part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer;
He stood at the back of the stage
It was hidden in the rear of the store
Back
(football) a person who plays in the backfield
Back
The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord;
The fall broke his back
Back
The front and back covering of a book;
The book had a leather binding
Back
The part of a garment that covers your back;
They pinned a `kick me' sign on his back
Back
A support that you can lean against while sitting;
The back of the dental chair was adjustable
Back
The position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
Back
Be behind; approve of;
He plumped for the Labor Party
I backed Kennedy in 1960
Back
Travel backward;
Back into the driveway
The car backed up and hit the tree
Back
Give support or one's approval to;
I'll second that motion
I can't back this plan
Endorse a new project
Back
Cause to travel backward;
Back the car into the parking spot
Back
Support financial backing for;
Back this enterprise
Back
Be in back of;
My garage backs their yard
Back
Place a bet on;
Which horse are you backing?
I'm betting on the new horse
Back
Shift to a counterclockwise direction;
The wind backed
Back
Establish as valid or genuine;
Can you back up your claims?
Back
Strengthen by providing with a back or backing
Back
Related to or located at the back;
The back yard
The back entrance
Back
Located at or near the back of an animal;
Back (or hind) legs
The hinder part of a carcass
Back
Of an earlier date;
Back issues of the magazine
Back
In or to or toward a former location;
She went back to her parents' house
Back
At or to or toward the back or rear;
He moved back
Tripped when he stepped backward
She looked rearward out the window of the car
Back
In or to or toward an original condition;
He went back to sleep
Back
In or to or toward a past time;
Set the clocks back an hour
Never look back
Lovers of the past looking fondly backward
Back
In answer;
He wrote back three days later
Had little to say in reply to the questions
Back
In repayment or retaliation;
We paid back everything we had borrowed
He hit me and I hit him back
I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher
Back
Return to a previous state or situation.
Let's go back to the main topic.
Common Curiosities
Is Rear used idiomatically?
Less frequently, but it appears in phrases like "bringing up the rear".
What does Back generally refer to?
"Back" often refers to the opposite of the front, especially concerning a person or thing.
Can Back be used in idioms?
Yes, such as "back to the drawing board" or "back in the day".
Which word is more versatile?
"Back" is more versatile, with broader applications in language.
Can Rear denote a military position?
Yes, it can refer to the back end of a military formation.
Is Rear synonymous with Back?
Not always. While both can refer to the end part of something, "Rear" is more specific to the hindmost part, often of a vehicle.
Is Back often used in expressions of support?
Yes, such as in "I've got your back".
Which term is more human-centric?
"Back" tends to be more human-centric, often referring to anatomy.
Can Rear refer to raising someone?
Yes, to "rear" can mean to raise or nurture, especially in the context of children.
How do Back and Rear differ in parts of speech?
"Back" can be a noun, adverb, adjective, or verb, while "Rear" is mainly a noun, adjective, or verb.
Can Rear be used in relation to animals?
Absolutely, as in the "rear legs" of a dog.
Is Back related to direction?
Yes, it can imply a direction away from the front or a return to a previous position.
What's a casual use of Rear?
It can colloquially refer to the buttocks.
Which term might refer to posture?
"Back" is more likely, as in "straighten your back".
Which word might you find in a vehicle context?
"Rear" is more common, as in "rear-view mirror" or "rear bumper".
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
