Back vs. Behind — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman — Published on November 19, 2023
"Back" generally refers to a direction or location, while "Behind" specifically refers to being at the rear of something or someone.
Difference Between Back and Behind
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
"Back" and "Behind" both commonly describe spatial relationships but have distinctive usage contexts. "Back" usually implies a return to a prior state or position, or denotes a particular area of an object, notably the opposite of the front. For example, one could say "Move back" to mean reverting to a previous position. On the contrary, "Behind" strictly indicates the position of something relative to something else, specifically at its rear. An instruction like "Stand behind me" clearly portrays this usage.
The word "Back" also can reference a physical part of an entity, such as the reverse side of a page, or the rear portion of a body. A sentence like "Write on the back of the paper" demonstrates this application. "Behind", while it also alludes to a position, does not describe a part of an entity, but more the spatial relation to another. For example, "The dog is behind the house" does not insinuate the house has a physical ‘behind’.
Another shade to "Back" is its usage to mean support, either physical or metaphorical. For instance, if someone says, "I have your back", it communicates a sense of support and assurance. "Behind" lacks this connotative element, and it remains spatial in its implications, like "The ball is behind the chair", with no allusion to support or assurance.
"Back" in certain contexts could convey a temporal element. When one says, "A few years back", it refers to a past time, which is not an application found in "Behind". Conversely, "Behind" strictly adheres to spatiality, such as when stating, "She stood behind the curtain", which gives no time-related inference.
In some contexts, "Back" could convey an action of retaliation or response, as in "To fight back". It suggests a reaction to a prior stimulus or action. "Behind" does not carry this action-oriented connotation, staying purely positional like "He is hiding behind the tree", without implying any retaliatory or responsive action.
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Comparison Chart
Basic Meaning
Direction/location or rear part of something
Specifically at the rear of something
Usage in Movement
Can imply return to a position ("Go back")
Indicates position without the return notion ("Stay behind")
Connotative Meaning
Can imply support ("I've got your back")
Lacks a supportive implication
Temporal Application
Can refer to past times ("A few years back")
No temporal reference
Reaction Indication
Can indicate a response or retaliation ("Fight back")
No implication of response or action
Compare with Definitions
Back
Back meaning rear side
The label is on the back.
Behind
Behind as a preposition
The cat is behind the couch.
Back
Back implying return
He went back to school.
Behind
Behind as support
The theory behind the method is solid.
Back
Back as a body part
He scratched his back.
Behind
Behind indicating lateness
She is behind on her assignments.
Back
Back indicating support
I’ve got your back.
Behind
Behind meaning cause
The reason behind his success is hard work.
Back
Back as a time reference
I visited there a while back.
Behind
Behind referring to past
He left his past behind him.
Back
The part of the trunk of the human body along and to the sides of the spine between the neck and the pelvis; the dorsum.
Behind
In, to, or toward the rear
We walked behind.
Back
The analogous dorsal region in other animals.
Behind
In a place or condition that has been passed or left
I left my gloves behind.
Back
The backbone or spine.
Behind
In arrears; late
I fell behind in my payments.
Back
The part or area farthest from the front.
Behind
Below the standard level; in or into an inferior position
Don't fall behind in class.
Back
The part opposite to or behind that adapted for view or use
The back of the hand.
Wrote on the back of the photograph.
Behind
Slow
My watch is running behind.
Back
The reverse side, as of a coin.
Behind
(Archaic) Yet to come or in reserve
"the expectation of some new possession, or of some enjoyment yet behind" (Samuel Johnson).
Back
A part that supports or strengthens from the rear
The back of a couch.
Behind
At the back of or in the rear of
He sat behind her.
Back
The part of a book where the pages are stitched or glued together into the binding.
Behind
On the farther side or other side of; beyond
The broom is behind the door.
Back
The binding itself.
Behind
In a place or time that has been passed or left by
Their worries are behind them.
Back
A player who takes a position behind the front line of other players in certain games, such as football and soccer.
Behind
Later than
The plane was behind schedule.
Back
In swimming, backstroke.
Behind
Used to indicate deficiency in performance
Behind us in technological development.
Back
A shallow vat or tub used chiefly by brewers.
Behind
Hidden or concealed by
Hatred hidden behind a bland smile.
Back
To cause to move backward or in a reverse direction
Back the car up and then make the turn.
Behind
In the background of; underlying
Behind your every action is self-interest.
Back
To furnish or strengthen with a back or backing.
Behind
In a position or attitude of support
The leaders have the army behind them.
Back
To provide with financial or material support
Unions backed the pro-labor candidate.
Behind
In pursuit of
The police were hard behind the escapees.
Back
To lend moral support to, as by corroborating a claim. Often used with up
I'm not comfortable filing a complaint if you won't back me up.
Behind
(Informal) The buttocks.
Back
To be in favor of; endorse or advocate
Backed the reform proposal.
Behind
At or to the back or far side of.
The children were hiding behind the wall.
The sun went behind the clouds.
Look behind you!
In front of
Back
To provide with musical accompaniment. Often used with up.
Behind
(figuratively) Concealed by (something serving as a facade or disguise).
Behind the smile was a cruel intention.
Back
To bet or wager on.
Behind
(figuratively) In the past, from the viewpoint of.
All my problems are behind me.
Back
To adduce evidence in support of; substantiate
Backed the argument with facts.
Behind
Less forward or advanced than; after.
Ahead of
Back
To form the back or background of
Snowcapped mountains back the village.
Behind
After in physical progress or distance.
Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.
Back
To move backward
Backed out of the garage.
Behind
After in developmental progress, score, grade, etc.; inferior to.
I'm ranked sixth in the French class, behind five other pupils.
In the cricket match, England are 120 runs behind India.
Back
To shift to a counterclockwise direction. Used of the wind.
Behind
After in time.
London is nine hours behind Tokyo.
Back
Located or placed in the rear
Deliveries should be made at the back entrance.
Behind
Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.
Who is behind these terrorist attacks?
Mr Jones was the man behind the redevelopment plan.
Back
Distant from a center of activity; remote.
Behind
Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.
What is behind this unexpected decision?
Back
Of a past date; not current
A back issue of a periodical.
Behind
In support of.
The republicans are fully behind their candidate.
Back
Being owed or due from an earlier time; in arrears
Back pay.
Behind
As a result or consequence of.
Back
Being in a backward direction
A back step.
Behind
At or in the rear or back part of something.
The water flows out through the pipe, and the sediment collects behind.
Back
(Linguistics) Pronounced with the back of the tongue, as oo in cool. Used of vowels.
Behind
In a rearward direction.
We ran and ran, without once looking behind.
Back
At, to, or toward the rear or back.
Behind
So as to come after someone or something in position, distance, advancement, ranking, time, etc.
The slower runners were left a long way behind.
In the cricket match, England finished a long way behind.
The worst thing about autumn is that winter follows behind.
Back
In, to, or toward a former location
Went back for the class reunion.
Behind
So as to be still in place after someone or something has departed or ceased to exist.
I couldn't be bothered to carry the ironing board, so I left it behind.
He stayed behind after the war.
He left behind a legacy of death and sorrow.
The island was inundated by the sea, leaving not a trace behind.
Back
In, to, or toward a former condition
When the spell broke, the prince turned back into a frog.
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Back
In, to, or toward a past time
This story goes back to the 1920s.
Behind
Behind the scenes in a theatre; backstage.
Back
In reserve or concealment
We kept back some money for emergencies.
Behind
(archaic) Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
Back
In check or under restraint
Barriers held the crowd back.
Behind
Not advanced to the required or expected degree; overdue or in arrears.
I'm very behind in my schedule.
My employer is two paychecks behind on paying my salary.
Back
In reply or return
Emailed back that he would be late.
Behind
(of a watch or clock) Slow.
My watch is behind by four minutes.
Back
At or near the rear.
Go in the back door of the house.
Behind
The rear, back-end.
This part fits under the behind of the vehicle.
She sneaked up on me from behind.
Back
(predicative) Returned or restored to a previous place or condition.
He was on vacation, but now he’s back.
The office fell into chaos when you left, but now order is back.
Behind
(informal) The buttocks, bottom, butt.
I was stung on the behind by a wasp.
Back
Not current.
I’d like to find a back issue of that magazine.
Behind
(Australian rules football) A one-point score.
Back
Situated away from the main or most frequented areas.
They took a back road.
He lives out in the back country.
Behind
The catcher.
Back
In arrears; overdue.
They still owe three months' back rent.
Behind
In the Eton College field game, any of a group of players consisting of two "shorts" (who try to kick the ball over the bully) and a "long" (who defends the goal).
Back
Moving or operating backward.
Back action
Behind
On the side opposite the front or nearest part; on the back side of; at the back of; on the other side of; as, behind a door; behind a hill.
A tall Brabanter, behind whom I stood.
Back
Pronounced with the highest part of the body of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, near the soft palate (most often describing a vowel).
Behind
Left after the departure of, whether this be by removing to a distance or by death.
A small part of what he left behind him.
Back
(not comparable) To or in a previous condition or place.
He gave back the money.
I left my mobile phone back at the hotel. I'll have to go back and get it.
Behind
Left a distance by, in progress of improvement Hence: Inferior to in dignity, rank, knowledge, or excellence, or in any achievement.
I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles.
Back
In a direction opposite to that in which someone or something is facing or normally pointing.
Someone pushed me in the chest and I fell back.
The grandfather clock toppled back and crashed to the ground.
Her arm was bent back at an odd angle.
Behind
At the back part; in the rear.
Back
In a direction opposite to the usual or desired direction of movement or progress, physically or figuratively.
Wind the film back a few frames.
Don't forget to put the clocks back by one hour tonight!
This mishap has set the project back considerably.
Behind
Toward the back part or rear; backward; as, to look behind.
Back
So as to reverse direction and return.
The light bounces back off the mirror.
Behind
Not yet brought forward, produced, or exhibited to view; out of sight; remaining.
We can not be sure that there is no evidence behind.
Back
Towards, into or in the past.
These records go back years.
He built a time machine and travelled back to 1800.
Think back to how you felt last year.
Everything was simpler back in the old days.
Behind
Backward in time or order of succession; past.
Forgetting those things which are behind.
Back
Away from someone or something; at a distance.
Keep back! It could explode at any moment!
Behind
After the departure of another; as, to stay behind.
Leave not a rack behind.
Back
Away from the front or from an edge.
Sit all the way back in your chair.
Behind
The backside; the rump.
Back
So as shrink, recede or move aside, or cause to do so.
This tree is dying back.
Clear back all this vegetation.
Draw back the curtains and let in some light.
Behind
The fleshy part of the human body that you sit on;
He deserves a good kick in the butt
Are you going to sit on your fanny and do nothing?
Back
In a manner that impedes.
Fear held him back.
Behind
Having the lower score or lagging position in a contest;
Behind by two points
The 8th inning found the home team trailing
Back
(not comparable) In a reciprocal manner; in return.
If you hurt me, I'll hurt you back.
Behind
In or to or toward the rear;
He followed behind
Seen from behind, the house is more imposing than it is from the front
The final runners were far behind
Back
(postpositive) Earlier, ago.
We met many years back.
I last saw him a day or two back.
Behind
Remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from;
When he died he left much unfinished work behind
Left a large family behind
The children left their books behind
He took off with a squeal of tires and left the other cars far behind
Back
To a later point in time. See also put back.
The meeting has been moved back an hour. It was at 3 o'clock; now it's at 4 o'clock.
Behind
Of timepieces;
The clock is almost an hour slow
My watch is running behind
Back
The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
Could you please scratch my back?
Behind
In or into an inferior position;
Fell behind in his studies
Their business was lagging behind in the competition for customers
Back
The spine and associated tissues.
I hurt my back lifting those crates.
Behind
In debt;
He fell behind with his mortgage payments
A month behind in the rent
A company that has been run behindhand for years
In arrears with their utility bills
Back
Large and attractive buttocks.
Back
(figurative) The part of a piece of clothing which covers the back.
I still need to finish the back of your dress.
Back
The backrest, the part of a piece of furniture which receives the human back.
Can you fix the back of this chair?
Back
(obsolete) That part of the body that bears clothing. (Now used only in the phrase clothes on one's back.)
Back
That which is farthest away from the front.
He sat in the back of the room.
Back
The side of any object which is opposite the front or useful side.
Turn the book over and look at the back.
Back
The reverse side; the side that is not normally seen.
I hung the clothes on the back of the door.
Back
Area behind, such as the backyard of a house.
We'll meet out in the back of the library.
Back
The part of something that goes last.
The car was near the back of the train.
Back
(sports) In some team sports, a position behind most players on the team.
The backs were lined up in an I formation.
Back
(figuratively) Upper part of a natural object which is considered to resemble an animal's back.
The small boat raced over the backs of the waves.
Back
A support or resource in reserve.
Back
(nautical) The keel and keelson of a ship.
The ship's back broke in the pounding surf.
Back
(mining) The roof of a horizontal underground passage.
Back
Effort, usually physical.
Put some back into it!
Back
A non-alcoholic drink (often water or a soft drink), to go with hard liquor or a cocktail.
Could I get a martini with a water back?
Back
Among leather dealers, one of the thickest and stoutest tanned hides.
Back
(swimming) backstroke
Back
A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
Back
A ferryboat.
Back
(intransitive) To go in the reverse direction.
The train backed into the station;
The horse refuses to back
Back
(transitive) To support.
I back you all the way;
Which horse are you backing in this race?
Back
To change direction contrary to the normal pattern; that is, to shift anticlockwise in the northern hemisphere, or clockwise in the southern hemisphere.
Back
To brace the yards so that the wind presses on the front of the sail, to slow the ship.
Back
To lay out a second, smaller anchor to provide additional holding power.
Back
To stand still behind another dog which has pointed.
Back
(transitive) To push or force backwards.
To back oxen
The mugger backed her into a corner and demanded her wallet.
Back
To get upon the back of; to mount.
Back
To place or seat upon the back.
Back
To make a back for; to furnish with a back.
To back books
Back
To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
Back
To write upon the back of, possibly as an endorsement.
To back a letter;
To back a note or legal document
Back
To sign or endorse (a warrant, issued in another county, to apprehend an offender).
Back
To row backward with (oars).
To back the oars
Back
.
Back
To carry an infant on one's back.
Back
A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
Back
A ferryboat. See Bac, 1.
Back
In human beings, the hinder part of the body, extending from the neck to the end of the spine; in other animals, that part of the body which corresponds most nearly to such part of a human being; as, the back of a horse, fish, or lobster.
Back
An extended upper part, as of a mountain or ridge.
[The mountains] their broad bare backs upheaveInto the clouds.
Back
The outward or upper part of a thing, as opposed to the inner or lower part; as, the back of the hand, the back of the foot, the back of a hand rail.
Methought Love pitying me, when he saw this,Gave me your hands, the backs and palms to kiss.
Back
The part opposed to the front; the hinder or rear part of a thing; as, the back of a book; the back of an army; the back of a chimney.
Back
The part opposite to, or most remote from, that which fronts the speaker or actor; or the part out of sight, or not generally seen; as, the back of an island, of a hill, or of a village.
Back
The part of a cutting tool on the opposite side from its edge; as, the back of a knife, or of a saw.
Back
A support or resource in reserve.
This projectShould have a back or second, that might hold,If this should blast in proof.
Back
The keel and keelson of a ship.
Back
The upper part of a lode, or the roof of a horizontal underground passage.
Back
A garment for the back; hence, clothing.
A bak to walken inne by daylight.
Back
Being at the back or in the rear; distant; remote; as, the back door; back settlements.
Back
Being in arrear; overdue; as, back rent.
Back
Moving or operating backward; as, back action.
Back
To get upon the back of; to mount.
I will back him [a horse] straight.
Back
To place or seat upon the back.
Great Jupiter, upon his eagle backed,Appeared to me.
Back
To drive or force backward; to cause to retreat or recede; as, to back oxen.
Back
To make a back for; to furnish with a back; as, to back books.
Back
To adjoin behind; to be at the back of.
A garden . . . with a vineyard backed.
The chalk cliffs which back the beach.
Back
To write upon the back of; as, to back a letter; to indorse; as, to back a note or legal document.
Back
To support; to maintain; to second or strengthen by aid or influence; as, to back a friend.
Have still found it necessary to back and fortify their laws with rewards and punishments.
The mate backed the captain manfully.
Back
To bet on the success of; - as, to back a race horse.
Back
To move or go backward; as, the horse refuses to back.
Back
To change from one quarter to another by a course opposite to that of the sun; - used of the wind.
Back
To stand still behind another dog which has pointed; - said of a dog.
Cleon at first . . . was willing to go; but, finding that he [Nicias] was in earnest, he tried to back out.
Back
In, to, or toward, the rear; as, to stand back; to step back.
Back
To the place from which one came; to the place or person from which something is taken or derived; as, to go back for something left behind; to go back to one's native place; to put a book back after reading it.
Back
To a former state, condition, or station; as, to go back to private life; to go back to barbarism.
Back
Of time) In times past; ago.
Back
Away from contact; by reverse movement.
The angel of the Lord . . . came, and rolled back the stone from the door.
Back
In concealment or reserve; in one's own possession; as, to keep back the truth; to keep back part of the money due to another.
Back
In a state of restraint or hindrance.
The Lord hath kept thee back from honor.
Back
In return, repayment, or requital.
What have I to give you back?
Back
In withdrawal from a statement, promise, or undertaking; as, he took back the offensive words.
Back
In arrear; as, to be back in one's rent.
Back
The posterior part of a human (or animal) body from the neck to the end of the spine;
His back was nicely tanned
Back
The side that goes last or is not normally seen;
He wrote the date on the back of the photograph
Back
The part of something that is furthest from the normal viewer;
He stood at the back of the stage
It was hidden in the rear of the store
Back
(football) a person who plays in the backfield
Back
The series of vertebrae forming the axis of the skeleton and protecting the spinal cord;
The fall broke his back
Back
The front and back covering of a book;
The book had a leather binding
Back
The part of a garment that covers your back;
They pinned a `kick me' sign on his back
Back
A support that you can lean against while sitting;
The back of the dental chair was adjustable
Back
The position of a player on a football team who is stationed behind the line of scrimmage
Back
Be behind; approve of;
He plumped for the Labor Party
I backed Kennedy in 1960
Back
Travel backward;
Back into the driveway
The car backed up and hit the tree
Back
Give support or one's approval to;
I'll second that motion
I can't back this plan
Endorse a new project
Back
Cause to travel backward;
Back the car into the parking spot
Back
Support financial backing for;
Back this enterprise
Back
Be in back of;
My garage backs their yard
Back
Place a bet on;
Which horse are you backing?
I'm betting on the new horse
Back
Shift to a counterclockwise direction;
The wind backed
Back
Establish as valid or genuine;
Can you back up your claims?
Back
Strengthen by providing with a back or backing
Back
Related to or located at the back;
The back yard
The back entrance
Back
Located at or near the back of an animal;
Back (or hind) legs
The hinder part of a carcass
Back
Of an earlier date;
Back issues of the magazine
Back
In or to or toward a former location;
She went back to her parents' house
Back
At or to or toward the back or rear;
He moved back
Tripped when he stepped backward
She looked rearward out the window of the car
Back
In or to or toward an original condition;
He went back to sleep
Back
In or to or toward a past time;
Set the clocks back an hour
Never look back
Lovers of the past looking fondly backward
Back
In answer;
He wrote back three days later
Had little to say in reply to the questions
Back
In repayment or retaliation;
We paid back everything we had borrowed
He hit me and I hit him back
I was kept in after school for talking back to the teacher
Common Curiosities
Is "behind" used in expressions of support?
Not commonly. "Behind" typically does not imply support like "back" can.
Can "back" and "behind" be used interchangeably?
No, "back" and "behind" have different nuances and are not always interchangeable.
Can "back" imply a motion or action?
Yes, like "come back" implying return, or "fight back" indicating retaliation.
Can "back" reference the past?
Yes, e.g., "years back" refers to a time in the past.
Does "behind" always suggest a physical location?
Most often, yes. "Behind" usually indicates a relative spatial position.
Can "behind" be used to describe causality?
Yes, like "the reason behind" something referring to its cause.
Can "back" refer to a part of an object?
Yes, like "the back of the book" or "the back of the building".
Does "back" always refer to a physical location?
No, "back" can also refer to a point in time or provide a sense of support.
Is "back" used spatially?
Yes, "back" can refer to a rear position or direction, like "the back of the house".
Can "behind" refer to a point in time?
Generally no, "behind" primarily pertains to spatial relationships.
Can "back" convey the opposite of the front side?
Yes, like "the back of the page" or "the back of the building".
Can "back" and "behind" both convey spatial relationships?
Yes, though their exact applications and nuances differ significantly.
Is "back" used to express being late?
No, "behind" is generally used in this context ("behind schedule").
Can "behind" refer to a physical part of an object?
No, "behind" typically indicates spatial relation, not a part.
Can "behind" convey the opposite of the front side?
No, "behind" refers to a spatial relationship, not opposite of front.
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Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
