backwards and forwards Definition

backwards
backward
adverb

1. Towards the back or rear.

Thesaurus: rearward, astern, back, behind; Antonym: forward, onward.
2. With one's back facing the direction of movement.

Example: walk backwards out of the room
3. In reverse order.

Example: counting backwards
4. In or into a worse state.

Example: felt her career going backwards

Idiom: backwards and forwards

First in one direction, and then in the opposite direction.

Idiom: bend over backwards (fall over backwards, lean over backwards)

colloq
To try extremely hard to please or accommodate someone.

Idiom: know something backwards

colloq
To know it thoroughly.

Etymology: 16c: from backward.