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Back

Back is an adverb, noun, adjective or verb.

Back can mean ‘returning to an earlier starting point or situation’ or ‘moving to a point further away’ or ‘replying to something’. Back also means ‘at the rear of’ or ‘the part of a person or thing that is opposite the front*’*.

Back as an adverb​

  • Olga’s not looking forward to going back to school in September.
  • [taking a photograph]
  • Don’t move too far back or you’ll fall in the swimming pool.
  • Sorry, I’m just finishing a meeting. Can I ring you back in ten minutes?

Back as a noun​

  • There’s a new restaurant at the back of our office building.
  • Will Hoskins is unlikely to play as he hurt his back badly playing in the Rugby World Cup semi-final and is still receiving treatment.

Back as an adjective​

  • The reporters were chasing her and, in order to avoid the cameras, she had to use the back door of the theatre.
  • Unfortunately she’s spilt coffee over the back seat of the car.

Back as a verb​

  • [talking about a pet dog]
  • He’s got a lovely temperament but he may panic and bite you if you back him into a corner.
  • Did you know that during his driving test he backed his car into a bicycle?