backhand
/ˈbækhænd/
Word Rarity
Rare
Frequency: 2.86 in modern English
20
Scrabble Score
8
Letters
2
Syllables
7
Unique Chars
Meaning
noun
A stroke made across the chest from the off-hand side to the racquet hand side; a stroke during which the back of the hand faces the shot.
noun
Handwriting that leans to the left.
noun
The standard throw; a throw during which the disc begins on the off-hand side and travels across the chest to be released from the opposite side.
verb
To execute a backhand stroke or throw.
verb
To slap with the back of one's hand.
adj
Example Sentences
- "She has a mean backhand."
- "It was written in a shaky backhand."
- "During the boxing match, I accidentally backhanded my opponent."
- "While Joe is driving, Bob gets upset and wants to go back to set up. Bob and Joe argue for a few seconds. Then, Bob grabs the wheel and nearly causes us to hit a tree. In response, Joe backhands Bob and tells him to immediately stop or he will get us killed. Bob says that he was just trying to get us back on track and that he was joking."
- "In great confusion, Gordon accepted the letter, broke its small crested seal, and began reading the neat back-hand scrawl."
- "He scored on a backhand shot."
Etymology
Etymology tree English back Proto-Germanic *handuz Proto-West Germanic *handu Old English hand Middle English hond English hand English backhand From back + hand.
Regional Pronunciation
- American English: /ˈbækhænd/
- British English: /ˈbækhænd/
Inflected Forms
backhands (plural)
backhands (present, singular)
backhanding (participle, present)
backhanded (participle, past)
backhanded (past)
more backhand (comparative)
most backhand (superlative)