behind
bih-HYND
Behind (preposition) means At or toward the back of something, or after it in time, position, or progress. Example: “The keys fell behind the sofa.”
preposition
1
At or toward the back of something, or after it in time, position, or progress.
"The keys fell behind the sofa."
"He's behind on his rent this month."
"The sun slowly disappeared behind the hills as we walked home."
2
Responsible for, or the reason for, something.
"Nobody knows who is behind the anonymous donation."
"Who is really behind the rumour that the shop is closing?"
"Detectives in the novel slowly work out the person behind the theft."
noun
1
Informal term for a person's buttocks.
"He slipped and landed on his behind."
"The toddler plopped down on her behind and giggled at everyone."
"The child fell off the swing and bumped his behind on the grass."
How to use behind
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAt the back of, or lagging after, something — also a polite word for someone's bottom.
Common pairings
behind schedule
fall behind
leave behind
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Word forms
- Plural
- behinds
- Comparative
- more behind, behinder
- Superlative
- most behind, behindest
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The keys fell _____ the sofa.
Etymology
From Old English behindan, built from be- plus "hind," an old word for the back part of something.
Synonyms
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Related words
Frequently asked questions
What does “behind” mean?
The word “behind” means at or toward the back of something, or after it in time, position, or progress. In plain terms, at the back of, or lagging after, something — also a polite word for someone's bottom.
How do you pronounce “behind”?
“Behind” is pronounced bih-HYND (/ˈbiːˌhaɪnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “behind” in a sentence?
Here is “behind” used in a sentence: “The keys fell behind the sofa.”
What part of speech is “behind”?
Depending on how it is used, “behind” can be a preposition and a noun.
Where does the word “behind” come from?
The word “behind” comes from Old English. From Old English behindan, built from be- plus "hind," an old word for the back part of something.
Is “behind” a common word?
“Behind” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A1 level.
How many meanings does “behind” have?
“Behind” has 3 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: at or toward the back of something, or after it in time, position, or progress.
What is the opposite of "behind"?
The main opposite is "in front of" for position, and "ahead of" for progress or time. If a chair is behind the desk, the opposite places it in front; if you are behind schedule, being ahead means you are early. "Before" can also serve as an opposite in the sense of order.
What is the difference between "behind" and "after"?
"Behind" is mainly about physical position or lagging progress — standing behind someone, or falling behind in a race. "After" is mainly about time or sequence — leaving after lunch. They overlap when talking about order, but "behind" adds a sense of being at the back or trailing, while "after" simply marks what follows.
Can "behind" mean late or slow?
Yes. Beyond physical position, "behind" often means falling short in time or progress — "behind schedule," "behind on the rent," or "falling behind at school." In this sense it describes being later or less advanced than expected, the opposite of being ahead or on track.
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