behind
pronunciation
How to pronounce behind in British English:
UK [bɪˈhaɪnd]
How to pronounce behind in American English:
US [bɪˈhaɪnd]
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- Noun:
- the fleshy part of the human body that you sit on
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- Adjective:
- having the lower score or lagging position in a contest
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- Adverb:
- in or to or toward the rear
- remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from
- of timepieces
- in or into an inferior position
- in debt
Word Origin
- behind
- behind: [OE] Behind was compounded in Old English times from the prefix bi- ‘by’ and hindan ‘from behind’. This second element, and the related Old English hinder ‘below’, have relatives in other Germanic languages (German hinten and hinter ‘behind’, for example), and are connected with the English verb hinder, but their ultimate history is unclear. Modern English hind ‘rear’ may come mainly from behind.=> hind, hinder
- behind (adv.)
- Old English behindan "behind, after," from bi "by" + hindan "from behind" (see hind (adj.)). The prepositional sense emerged in Old English. Euphemistic noun meaning "backside of a person" is from 1786. Phrase behind the times is from 1905. Behind the scenes (1711) is from the theater; figurative sense attested by 1779.
Example
- 1. Corruption and piracy were far behind .
- 2. But what is behind this success ?
- 3. I 'll hide behind a tree .
- 4. Two soldiers huddle behind a wall .
- 5. Odinga called for kenyans to unite behind the agreement .