First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1behind
adverb or adjective be·hind \bi-ˈhīnd, bē-\
: in or toward the back
: in the place that someone is going away from
: later in time
Full Definition of BEHIND
1
a : in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from <stay behind> b : in, to, or toward the back <look behind> <came from behind> c : later in time <can spring be far behind>
2
3
archaic : still to come
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See behind defined for kids
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Origin of BEHIND
Middle English behinde, from Old English behindan, from be- + hindan from behind; akin to Old English hinder behind — more at hind
Rhymes with BEHIND
2behind
preposition
: in or to a place at the back of or to the rear of (someone or something)
: losing to (someone or something) in a race or competition
: in a less advanced position than (someone or something) : not happening or proceeding as quickly as (someone or something)
Full Definition of BEHIND
1
a : in or to a place or situation in back of or to the rear of <look behind you> <put behind bars> b —used as a function word to indicate something that screens an observer <the sun went behind a cloud> c : following in order <marched behind the band>
2
—used as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or deficiency <behind the times> <behind schedule> <lagged behind last year's sales>
3
a : in the background of <the conditions behind the strike> b : out of the mind or consideration of <put our troubles behind us> c : beyond in depth or time <the story behind the story> <go back behind St. Augustine>
4
a : in support of : on the side of <solidly behind the candidate> b : with the support of <won 1–0 behind brilliant pitching>
See behind defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of BEHIND
before 12th century
3behind
noun be·hind \ˈbē-ˌhīnd; bi-ˈhīnd, bē-\
: the part of the body above the legs that is used for sitting
Full Definition of BEHIND
: buttocks —often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions <get your behind over here>
See behind defined for English-language learners
Origin of BEHIND
1behind
First Known Use: circa 1830
Related to BEHIND
- Synonyms
- backside, buttocks, booty (also bootie) [slang], bottom, breech, bum, buns, butt, caboose, can, cheeks, derriere (or derrière), duff, fanny, fundament, hams, haunches, heinie [slang], hunkers, keister (also keester) [slang], nates, posterior, rear, rear end, rump, seat, tail, tail end, tush [slang]
BEHIND[1] Defined for Kids
1behind
adverb be·hind \bi-ˈhīnd\
Definition of BEHIND for Kids
1
: in a place that is being or has been left <You can leave your books behind.>
2
: in, to, or toward the back <look behind> <fall behind>
3
: not up to the general level <behind in math>
4
: not keeping up to a schedule <behind in his payments>
2behind
preposition
Definition of BEHIND for Kids
1
: at or to the back of <behind the door>
2
: not up to the level of <Sales are behind those of last year.>
3
: out of the thoughts of <Let's put our troubles behind us.>
4
: responsible for <Who's behind these pranks?>
5
: in support of <We're behind you all the way!>
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