behind
Pluralbehinds
- 1At or to the back of something, on the far side from where you are.
There is a small park behind our school.
She put her wet shoes behind the door.
UsageSay behind the door, with no of.
- 2Being the reason for something, underlying it.
There must be something behind her bad mood today.
There's a long story behind that scar.
UsageSay the reason behind something.
- 3Farther back than someone, or not doing as well as them in a race, game, or progress.
In math, I am still behind most of my classmates.
The team is three points behind the leaders.
UsageSay three points behind the leaders.
Note
- 4Left where it was after someone has gone, as in 'left behind'.
Oh no, I left my keys behind at work.
Some students stayed behind to help clean the room.
UsageSay leave something behind or stay behind.
- 5Responsible for something, being the person who made or controls it.
Who was behind the surprise party for Mom?
A small group of parents is behind the new playground.
- 6Supporting someone, on their side.
The party is fully behind its candidate.
Whatever you decide, we're behind you.
UsageSay we're behind you.
Oppositeagainst
- 7Farther back than the others, in distance, time, or standing, as in 'fall behind'.
Our team was winning at first, but then we fell behind.
England finished a long way behind.
UsageCommon phrases include fall behind, lag behind, and trail behind.
Oppositeahead
- 8Late, not as far along as you should be, or owing money.
I'm behind on my homework this week.
We are two months behind on our rent.
UsageSay behind on your homework or rent.
Similarlate
- 9Hidden by something that acts as a front or a mask.
She hid her fear behind a bright smile.
Behind his loud laugh, he was a very shy man.
UsageSay she hid her fear behind a smile.
- 10At the back, or toward the back.
She sat in front, and her little brother sat behind.
The garden lies behind, hidden from the road.
- 11In the past for someone, over and done with, as in 'his troubles are behind him'.
His best years were behind him.
With the exams behind her, she could relax.
UsageSay it's behind me now.
Oppositebefore
Less common meanings
- 12
- 13Later in time than, as with time zones or being slow.
My sister got home an hour behind me.
In Denver, we are two hours behind my friends in Boston.
UsageSay two hours behind us or behind schedule.
- 14In casual American speech, because of, as in 'suspended behind that fight'.
She got suspended behind that fight.
He lost his job behind some nonsense at work.
Similarover
Note
- 15In the past, left behind in time, as in 'the things which are behind'.
Forgetting those things which are behind, he pressed on.
She looked back at the long years behind and smiled.
Oppositeahead
Note
- 16
- 17In old use, still out of sight or not yet shown, as in 'there is more behind'.
We cannot be sure that there is no evidence behind.
1689, [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane UnderstandingHere, behind means not yet shown, so more evidence may still be out of sight.Note
- 18In Australian rules football, a score worth one point.
He missed the goal but still kicked a behind for one point.
The Magpies led by two goals and three behinds.
Note
- 19In a theater, backstage, out of sight of the audience.
‘After the performance was over I went behind, and spoke to her.’
1890, Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray - 20In old baseball slang, the catcher.
- 21In the Eton field game, one of the players who defend near the goal.
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Old English behindan, meaning "on the back side of." It comes from the parts be- and hind (the back part).
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 2 facts
- Behind descends from Old English behindan, meaning 'on the back side of'. en.wiktionary.org
- Its historical formation is equivalent to be- and hind, referring to the back part. en.wiktionary.org