behind

adverb, preposition

UK /bɪˈhaɪnd/

Behind can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): The car behind us was flashing its lights.

as an adverb (without a following noun): I stayed behind to look after the children.

1
at someone/something’s back or opposite side
1. 1a
  at the back of someone or something
  The teacher was standing behind me, looking over my shoulder.
  Some papers had fallen behind the cupboard.
  Harry went out and shut the door behind him (=after he had gone through it).
  from behind:
  Someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
2. 1b
  following someone or something
  You walk ahead and we’ll follow along behind.
  The other runners were a long way behind Benson.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
3. 1c
  on the other side of something from where you are
  The manager was sitting behind an enormous desk.
  We could hide behind those bushes.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
2
used for saying what causes something or who is responsible for making it happen, especially when this is not obvious
Police believe that a racist group is behind the attacks.
What’s behind this sudden change of policy?
3
late or too slow in doing things that you have to do
The project is already a month behind schedule.
I’m sorry your suit isn’t ready yet. We’ve got a bit behind with things.
be/get/fall behind:
Within a few months she had fallen behind with her rent.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
4
remaining in a place after people have left
A few people stayed behind to clear up.
They left two of us behind to guard the luggage.
Some of the equipment got left behind.
Synonyms and related words
Remaining or leftover
remaining
leftover
residual
5
achieving less progress or success
1. 5a
  used for saying that someone or something is less successful or has made less progress than others
  I’ve been ill – that’s why I’m behind everyone else in maths and French.
  Technology in Eastern Europe was at least 20 years behind the West.
  The Americans were falling behind in the competitive world of automobile design.
2. 5b
  used for saying that one person or team has a lower score or is less likely to win than their opponent
  Davis is still behind in recent opinion polls.
  behind by:
  At half time, our team was behind by 12 points.
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe participants in competitions
  adrift
  award-winning
  behind
6
used for saying that someone supports a person, action, or idea
You’re doing a great job, and I want you to know we’re right behind you.
Not everyone in the Cabinet was behind Thatcher’s policies.
When it came to a crisis, they all rallied behind their leader.
Synonyms and related words
Showing support for something or someone
supportive
sympathetic
pro
7
used for stating hidden facts
1. 7a
  used for saying that someone’s appearance or behaviour hides their real character or feelings
  Behind her quiet shy manner there is a passionate spirit.
  It was an evil business conducted behind a show of respectability.
2. 7b
  used for talking about the real facts of a situation that people do not know
  Parents are demanding to know the truth behind these disturbing rumours.
  the terrible story behind the fur trade
8
happening in the past
1. 8a
  if a bad experience or unpleasant situation is behind you, it no longer affects you or makes you unhappy
  With the trauma of the divorce behind her, Sandra could look forward to a better life.
  put something behind you:
  Sure, I made some bad mistakes, but I want to put all that behind me now and think about the future.
  Synonyms and related words
  Finished and completed
  finished
  completed
  exhausted
2. 8b
  if you have useful experience behind you, it gives you an advantage because you have gained skills and knowledge from it
  Robinson entered politics with 20 years’ business experience behind him.

phrases

behind the times

behind

adverb, preposition

US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

Behind can be used in the following ways:

as a preposition (followed by a noun): The car behind us was flashing its lights.

as an adverb (without a following noun): I stayed behind to take care of the children.

1
at someone/something’s back or opposite side
1. 1a
  at the back of someone or something
  The teacher was standing behind me, looking over my shoulder.
  Some papers had fallen behind the bookcase.
  Harry went out and shut the door behind him (=after he had gone through it).
  from behind:
  Someone grabbed me from behind and pulled me to the ground.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
2. 1b
  following someone or something
  You walk ahead and we’ll follow along behind.
  The other runners were a long way behind Benson.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
3. 1c
  on the other side of something from where you are
  The personnel director was sitting behind an enormous desk.
  We could hide behind those bushes.
  Synonyms and related words
  Behind or in front of something or someone
  behind
  in front
  rear
2
used for saying what causes something or who is responsible for making it happen, especially when this is not obvious
Police believe that a racist group is behind the attacks.
What’s behind this sudden change of policy?
3
late or too slow in doing things that you have to do
The project is already a month behind schedule.
I’m sorry your suit isn’t ready yet. We’ve gotten a little behind with things.
be/get/fall behind:
Within a few months she had fallen behind in her rent.
Synonyms and related words
Late or too late
late
belatedly
overdue
4
remaining in a place after people have left
A few people stayed behind to clean up.
They left two of us behind to guard the baggage.
Some of the equipment got left behind.
Synonyms and related words
Remaining or leftover
leave over
remaining
surviving
5
achieving less progress or success
1. 5a
  used for saying that someone or something is less successful or has made less progress than others
  I’ve been sick – that’s why I’m behind everyone else in math and French.
  Technology in Eastern Europe was at least 20 years behind the West.
  The Americans were falling behind in the competitive world of automobile design.
2. 5b
  used for saying that one person or team has a lower score or is less likely to win than their opponent
  Davis is still behind in recent opinion polls.
  behind by:
  At half time, our team was behind by 12 points.
  Synonyms and related words
  Words used to describe participants in competitions
  adrift
  award-winning
  behind
6
used for saying that someone supports a person, action, or idea
You’re doing a great job, and I want you to know we’re behind you all the way.
Not everyone in Congress was behind Roosevelt’s policies.
When it came to a crisis, they all rallied behind their leader.
Synonyms and related words
Showing support for something or someone
supportive
sympathetic
pro
7
used for stating hidden facts
1. 7a
  used for saying that someone’s appearance or behavior hides their real character or feelings
  Behind her quiet shy manner there is a passionate spirit.
  It was an evil business conducted behind a show of respectability.
2. 7b
  used for talking about the real facts of a situation that people do not know
  Parents are demanding to know the truth behind these disturbing rumors.
  the terrible story behind the fur trade
8
happening in the past
1. 8a
  if a bad experience or unpleasant situation is behind you, it no longer affects you or makes you unhappy
  With the trauma of the divorce behind her, Sandra could look forward to a better life.
  put something behind you:
  Sure, I made some bad mistakes, but I want to put all that behind me now and think about the future.
  Synonyms and related words
  Finished and completed
  finished
  completed
  exhausted
2. 8b
  if you have useful experience behind you, it gives you an advantage because you have gained skills and knowledge from it
  Robinson entered politics with 20 years’ business experience behind him.

phrases

behind the times

behind

noun countable informal

UK /bɪˈhaɪnd/

Word Forms

singular	behind
plural	behinds

1
the part of your body that you sit on
Synonyms and related words
The part of the body you sit on
bottom
backside
behind

behind

noun countable informal

US /bɪˈhaɪnd/

Word Forms

singular	behind
plural	behinds

1
the part of your body that you sit on
Synonyms and related words
The part of the body you sit on
bottom
backside
behind

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behind

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