Backward vs. Forward — What's the Difference?
By Maham Liaqat & Fiza Rafique — Updated on March 27, 2024
Backward refers to moving or oriented towards the direction that is opposite to the one in which one is facing or usual motion, while forward indicates direction towards the front or towards the direction one is facing.
Difference Between Backward and Forward
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Backward typically implies movement or orientation in the opposite direction to the usual or expected direction, often connoting regression or looking into the past. On the other hand, forward suggests progression, advancement, or moving towards the future.
While backward can denote physical movement, it may also symbolize a return to earlier conditions or attitudes. Forward, conversely, is often associated with improvement, progress, or a positive outlook towards upcoming events or periods.
Backward movements or actions can sometimes be perceived as negative, especially when they imply a retreat or a move away from goals, whereas forward movements are generally seen as positive, indicating advancement towards objectives or improvements.
In technology and innovation, backward compatibility refers to a system's ability to interface with older legacy systems, highlighting a respect for the past, while forward-thinking emphasizes anticipation of future trends and preparation for upcoming changes.
In terms of communication, conveying a message backward could complicate understanding, symbolizing miscommunication or a need for deeper analysis, while moving a conversation forward is often synonymous with clarity, efficiency, and productivity.
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Comparison Chart
Direction
Opposite to the usual or expected direction
Towards the direction one is facing or moving
Symbolism
Regression, return to past conditions
Progression, looking towards the future
Perception
Often viewed negatively as a retreat
Generally seen as positive, indicating advancement
Application in Tech
Backward compatibility with older systems
Forward-thinking in anticipating future trends
Communication Impact
Can symbolize miscommunication or complexity
Implies clarity, efficiency, and moving towards objectives
Compare with Definitions
Backward
Directed towards the back or in a reverse direction.
She glanced backward over her shoulder.
Forward
Presumptuous, bold, or overfamiliar.
His forward remarks were not well-received at the meeting.
Backward
Less advanced in mental, physical, or social development than is usual for one's age.
The child’s backward reading ability concerned his parents.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual or expected degree.
The project is moving at a forward pace.
Backward
Directed or facing towards the back or past.
A backward glance can sometimes reveal more than expected.
Forward
Relating to the future or progress.
Her forward-thinking approach benefited the company.
Backward
Reluctant to proceed due to fear or uncertainty.
He felt backward about expressing his opinion.
Forward
Sending something towards a destination or for consideration.
Please forward the email to the concerned department.
Backward
Referring to the compatibility with or operation of older hardware or software.
The software update maintains backward compatibility with older versions.
Forward
Directed towards the front or in the direction that one is facing.
The team moved forward with confidence.
Backward
Directed behind or to the rear
She left the room without a backward glance
Forward
In the direction that one is facing or travelling; towards the front
He started up the engine and the car moved forward
Rory leaned forward over the table
Backward
Having made less progress than is normal or expected
A backward agricultural country
Forward
Onward so as to make progress
The signing of the treaty is a big step forward
Backward
Lacking the confidence to do (something)
He was not backward in displaying his talents
Forward
Towards the future; ahead in time
Looking forward, earnings are expected to hit £7.2 billion
Backward
(of a fielding position) behind an imaginary line passing through the stumps at the batsman's end at right angles to the wicket
Backward square leg
Forward
Directed or facing towards the front or the direction that one is facing or travelling
The pilot's forward view
Forward flight
Backward
Another word for backwards
Forward
Relating to the future
A twelve-month forward forecast
Backward
Directed or facing toward the back or rear.
Forward
Progressing towards a successful conclusion
The decision is a forward step
Backward
Done or arranged in a manner or order that is opposite to previous occurrence or normal use.
Forward
(of a person) bold or overfamiliar in manner
I am not usually a forward sort of person
Backward
Unwilling to act; reluctant; shy.
Forward
An attacking player in football, hockey, or other sports.
Backward
Behind others in progress or development
The technology was backward, but the system worked.
Forward
Agreements to trade specified assets, typically currency, at a specified price at a certain future date.
Backward
To or toward the back or rear.
Forward
Send (a letter or email) on to a further destination
I recently received an email forwarded from a friend
My emails were forwarded to a friend
Backward
With the back leading.
Forward
Help to advance (something); promote
The scientists are forwarding the development of biotechnology
Backward
In a reverse manner or order.
Forward
At, near, or belonging to the front or forepart; fore
The forward section of the aircraft.
Backward
To, toward, or into the past.
Forward
Located ahead or in advance
Kept her eye on the forward horizon.
Backward
Toward a worse or less advanced condition.
Forward
Going, tending, or moving toward a position in front
A forward plunge down a flight of stairs.
Backward
Situated toward or at the rear of something.
The silt collects in the backward part of the tank.
Forward
(Sports) Advancing toward an opponent's goal.
Backward
Acting or moving in the direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing.
A backward tilt of the head
Forward
Moving in a prescribed direction or order for normal use
Forward rolling of the cassette tape.
Backward
Acting or moving in the direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
The occasional apparent backward movement of planets is evidence that they revolve around the sun.
Engage the lock to prevent backward rotation of the wheel.
Forward
Ardently inclined; eager.
Backward
(figuratively) Acting or moving oppositely to the desired direction of progress.
This is a backward step for the country.
Forward
Lacking restraint or modesty; presumptuous or bold
A forward child.
Backward
Reversed in order or sequence.
This backward writing is hard to read.
Forward
Being ahead of current economic, political, or technological trends; progressive
A forward concept.
Backward
Reluctant or unable to advance or act.
She certainly isn't backward in coming forward!
Forward
Deviating radically from convention or tradition; extreme.
Backward
(figuratively) Of a culture, country, practice etc., undeveloped or unsophisticated.
They were a backward people without any writing.
Forward
Exceptionally advanced; precocious.
Backward
(figuratively) Slow to apprehend; having difficulties in learning.
A backward child
Forward
Of, relating to, or done in preparation for the future
A rise in the forward price of corn.
Backward
Lacking progressive or enlightened thought; outdated.
The party's ideas and policies are very backward.
Forward
Toward or tending to the front; frontward
Step forward.
Backward
Late or behindhand.
A backward season
Forward
Into consideration
Put forward a new proposal.
Backward
(chess) Of a pawn, further behind than pawns of the same colour on adjacent files and unable to be moved forward safely.
Forward
In or toward the future
Looking forward to seeing you.
Backward
(cricket) On that part of the field behind the batsman's popping crease.
Forward
In the prescribed direction or sequence for normal use
Rolled the tape forward.
Backward
(cricket) Further behind the batsman's popping crease than something else.
Forward
In an advanced position or a configuration registering a future time
Set the clock forward.
Backward
(obsolete) Unwilling; averse; reluctant.
Forward
At or to a different time; earlier or later
Moved the appointment forward, from Friday to Thursday. See Usage Note at backward.
Backward
(obsolete) Already past or gone; bygone.
Forward
A player in certain games, such as basketball, soccer, or hockey, who is part of the forward line of the offense.
Backward
At, near or towards the rear of something.
The passenger turned around and walked backward, towards the tail of the aircraft.
Forward
The position played by such a person.
Backward
In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
He tilted his head backward.
The grandfather clock toppled backward and crashed to the ground.
Her arm was bent backward at an odd angle.
Forward
To send on to a subsequent destination or address.
Backward
In a direction opposite to the usual direction of movement.
In reverse gear the wheel turns backward.
Forward
Situated toward or at the front of something.
The fire was confined to the forward portion of the store.
The forward gun in a ship, the forward ship in a fleet
Backward
(figuratively) Oppositely to the desired direction of progress, or from a better to a worse state.
This project seems to be going backward.
Forward
(of troops, guns etc.) Situated toward or near the enemy lines.
The forward battalion took a hammering.
Backward
In a reversed orientation; back to front.
He had his cap on backward.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction in which someone or something is facing.
My forward vision is fine, but my peripheral vision is poor.
Backward
In a reversed order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
Forward
Acting in or pertaining to the direction of travel or movement.
Forward motion, forward thrust, forward momentum
Backward
Toward or into the past;
As we begin the new millennium, it behoves us to look backward as well as forward.
Forward
(figuratively) Moving in the desired direction of progress.
This is an important forward step for the country.
Backward
(obsolete) In the past.
Forward
Having the usual order or sequence.
The front of the fire engine has backward writing, that can be read in a mirror, as well as forward writing.
Backward
By way of reflection; reflexively. en
Forward
Expected or scheduled to take place in the future.
The stock price is currently 12 times forward earnings.
The price for forward delivery is presently higher than the spot price.
Backward
The state behind or past.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; precocious.
These students are very forward in their learning.
The grass is forward, or forward for the season. We have a forward spring.
Backward
With the back in advance or foremost; as, to ride backward.
Forward
Without customary restraint or modesty; bold, cheeky, pert, presumptuous or pushy.
She is a very forward young lady, not afraid to speak her mind.
Backward
Toward the back; toward the rear; as, to throw the arms backward.
Forward
(obsolete) Ready; prompt; ardently inclined; in a bad sense, eager or hasty.
Backward
On the back, or with the back downward.
Thou wilt fall backward.
Forward
At, near or towards the front of something.
She was sitting well forward in the railway carriage.
The bus driver told everyone standing up to move forward.
Backward
Toward, or in, past time or events; ago.
Some reigns backward.
Forward
(nautical) At, near, or towards the bow of a vessel (with the frame of reference within the vessel).
Backward
By way of reflection; reflexively.
Forward
In the direction in which someone or something is facing.
I leant forward to get a better look.
The grandfather clock toppled forward and crashed to the ground.
Backward
From a better to a worse state, as from honor to shame, from religion to sin.
The work went backward.
Forward
In the desired or usual direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively; onwards.
After spending an hour stuck in the mud, we could once again move forward.
Wind the film forward a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks forward by one hour tonight!
We need to move this project forward.
Backward
In a contrary or reverse manner, way, or direction; contrarily; as, to read backwards.
We might have . . . beat them backward home.
Forward
So that front and back are in the usual orientation.
Don't wear your baseball cap backward; turn it forward.
Backward
Directed to the back or rear; as, backward glances.
Forward
In the usual order or sequence.
A palindrome reads the same backward as forward.
Backward
Unwilling; averse; reluctant; hesitating; loath.
For wiser brutes were backward to be slaves.
Forward
Into the future.
From this day forward, there will be no more brussels sprouts at the cafeteria.
Backward
Not well advanced in learning; not quick of apprehension; dull; inapt; as, a backward child.
Forward
To an earlier point in time. See also bring forward.
The meeting has been moved forward an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 2 o'clock.
Backward
Late or behindhand; as, a backward season.
Forward
(transitive) To advance, promote.
He did all he could to forward the interests of the school.
Backward
Not advanced in civilization; undeveloped; as, the country or region is in a backward state.
Forward
(transitive) To send (a letter, email etc.) on to a third party.
I'll be glad to forward your mail to you while you're gone.
Backward
Already past or gone; bygone.
And flies unconscious o'er each backward year.
Forward
To assemble (a book) by sewing sections, attaching cover boards, and so on.
Backward
The state behind or past.
In the dark backward and abysm of time.
Forward
(rugby) One of the eight players (comprising two props, one hooker, two locks, two flankers and one number eight, collectively known as the pack) whose primary task is to gain and maintain possession of the ball (compare back).
Backward
To keep back; to hinder.
Forward
(soccer) A player on a team in football (soccer) in the row nearest to the opposing team's goal, who are therefore principally responsible for scoring goals.
Backward
Directed or facing toward the back or rear;
A backward view
Forward
(ice hockey) An umbrella term for a centre or winger in ice hockey.
Backward
(used of temperament or behavior) marked by a retiring nature;
A backward lover
Forward
(basketball) The small forward or power forward position; two frontcourt positions that are taller than guards but shorter than centers.
Backward
Retarded in intellectual development
Forward
(nautical) The front part of a vessel.
Backward
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
Forward
(Internet) An e-mail message that is forwarded to another recipient or recipients; an electronic chain letter.
Backward
In a manner or order or direction the reverse of normal;
It's easy to get the `i' and the `e' backward in words like `seize' and `siege'
The child put her jersey on backward
Forward
(finance) A direct agreement between two parties to buy or sell an asset at a specific point in the future; distinguished from a futures contract in that the latter is standardized and traded on an exchange.
Forward contract
Backward
In or to or toward a past time;
Set the clocks back an hour
Never look back
Lovers of the past looking fondly backward
Forward
Misspelling of foreword.
Forward
Agreement; covenant.
Forward
An agreement; a covenant; a promise.
Tell us a tale anon, as forward is.
Forward
Toward a part or place before or in front; onward; in advance; progressively; - opposed to backward.
Forward
Near, or at the fore part; in advance of something else; as, the forward gun in a ship, or the forward ship in a fleet.
Forward
Ready; prompt; strongly inclined; in an ill sense, overready; too hasty.
Only they would that we should remember the poor; the same which I also was forward to do.
Nor do we find him forward to be sounded.
Forward
Ardent; eager; earnest; in an ill sense, less reserved or modest than is proper; bold; confident; as, the boy is too forward for his years.
I have known men disagreeably forward from their shyness.
Forward
Advanced beyond the usual degree; advanced for the season; as, the grass is forward, or forward for the season; we have a forward spring.
The most forward budIs eaten by the canker ere it blow.
Forward
To help onward; to advance; to promote; to accelerate; to quicken; to hasten; as, to forward the growth of a plant; to forward one in improvement.
Forward
To send forward; to send toward the place of destination; to transmit; as, to forward a letter.
Forward
The person who plays the position of forward on a basketball team
Forward
A position on a basketball team
Forward
Send or ship onward from an intermediate post or station in transit;
Forward my mail
Forward
At or near or directed toward the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
A forward plunge down the stairs
Forward motion
Forward
Moving toward a position ahead;
Forward motion
The onward course of events
Forward
Used of temperament or behavior; lacking restraint or modesty;
A forward child badly in need of discipline
Forward
Of the transmission gear causing forward movement in a motor vehicle;
In a forward gear
Forward
Moving forward
Forward
Situated at or toward the front;
The fore cabins
The forward part of the ship
Forward
Situated in the front;
The forward section of the aircraft
Forward
At or to or toward the front;
He faced forward
Step forward
She practiced sewing backward as well as frontward on her new sewing machine
Forward
Forward in time or order or degree;
From that time forth
From the sixth century onward
Forward
Toward the future; forward in time;
I like to look ahead in imagination to what the future may bring
I look forward to seeing you
Forward
In a forward direction;
Go ahead
The train moved ahead slowly
The boat lurched ahead
Moved onward into the forest
They went slowly forward in the mud
Forward
Near or toward the bow of a ship or cockpit of a plane;
The captain went fore (or forward) to check the instruments
Common Curiosities
Is it negative to be backward-looking?
While being backward-looking can offer valuable lessons from the past, excessive focus on it can hinder progress.
How do backward and forward relate to time?
Backward is often associated with the past or regression, while forward is related to the future or progress.
What is backward compatibility?
Backward compatibility refers to a system's ability to work with older legacy systems or versions.
How can one move forward after a setback?
Moving forward after a setback involves learning from the experience, adapting, and continuing to pursue objectives.
How do backward and forward movements affect communication?
Backward movements in communication can lead to misunderstandings, while forward movements are aimed at clarity and progress.
Why is forward thinking important?
Forward thinking is crucial for anticipating future challenges and opportunities, allowing for better preparation and innovation.
What role does direction play in defining backward and forward?
Direction is fundamental, with backward indicating a reverse or opposite direction and forward indicating advancement or progression.
What does it mean when someone is described as forward?
If someone is described as forward, it can mean they are presumptuous or too bold, or alternatively, progressive and innovative.
What does it mean to move backward?
Moving backward means to go in the opposite direction to the usual or expected path, often implying regression.
What is forward movement?
Forward movement refers to advancing in the direction one is facing or moving towards the future.
Can something be both backward and forward?
While something can have aspects that are both backward and forward in different contexts, the two are opposite directions and philosophies.
How do backward and forward apply in technology?
In technology, backward often refers to compatibility with older systems, while forward denotes advancement and innovation.
How do backward and forward views impact historical analysis?
Backward views help in understanding historical context and lessons, while forward views focus on implications for the future.
What does a forward approach in business entail?
A forward approach in business involves proactive planning, innovation, and anticipating future trends.
Can a culture be forward or backward?
Cultures can be described as forward or backward based on their openness to change and innovation or their adherence to traditional values, respectively.
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Written by
Maham Liaqat
Co-written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
