behind

1 of 3

adverb or adjective

be·​hind bi-ˈhīnd 

bē-

1

a

: in the place or situation that is being or has been departed from

stay behind

b

: in, to, or toward the back

look behind

came from behind

c

: later in time

can spring be far behind

2

a

: in a secondary or inferior position

b

: in arrears

behind in the rent

c

: slow

3

archaic : still to come

behind

2 of 3

preposition

1

a

: in or to a place or situation in back of or to the rear of

look behind you

put behind bars

b

—used as a function word to indicate something that screens an observer

the sun went behind a cloud

c

: following in order

marched behind the band

2

—used as a function word to indicate backwardness, delay, or deficiency

behind the times

behind schedule

lagged behind last year's sales

3

a

: in the background of

the conditions behind the strike

b

: out of the mind or consideration of

put our troubles behind us

c

: beyond in depth or time

the story behind the story

go back behind St. Augustine

4

a

: in support of : on the side of

solidly behind the candidate

b

: with the support of

won 1–0 behind brilliant pitching

see also:

behind one's back drop behind stand behind

behind

3 of 3

noun

be·​hind ˈbē-ˌhīnd  bi-ˈhīnd 

bē-

: buttocks

—often used as a euphemism for ass in idiomatic expressions

get your behind over here

Synonyms of behind

Adverb or adjective

• delayed
• late
• delinquent
• tardy

Preposition

• back of
• in back of

Noun

• seat
• tail
• cheeks
• bum
• bottom
• rear
• rump
• backside

Examples of behind in a Sentence

Adverb or adjective

the required work was behind, so now we're running late

Preposition

The older students entered the room first with the younger students following behind them.

The cat hid behind the couch.

The sun went behind a cloud.

They were ahead of us by 5 points earlier in the game, but now they're behind us by 7.

The polls show that he is behind the other candidates.

The company is now behind the competition.

He was behind the other students in his studies.

Noun

kicked him in the behind

Recent Examples on the Web

Adverb or adjective

African economies risk being left behind by an AI revolution built on data that does not adequately represent the continent, according to the Gates Foundation’s 2026 Goalkeepers report. — Yinka Adegoke, semafor.com, 21 Sep. 2026

During the town hall, Caudle told a sailor who was evacuated from Bahrain that officials are working on retrieving belongings that were left behind because the Navy does not have imminent plans to return to the same level of footprint on the base. — Eleanor Watson, CBS News, 21 Sep. 2026

Preposition

Miami remains the perennial grande dame, while further north, in the Palm Beaches, travelers encounter charming vias tucked behind Worth Avenue and unspoiled wildlife havens. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 23 Sep. 2026

The science behind human pheromones, however, is wishy-washy at best, and maximizing odor may also be putting your love life in a funk. — Devika Rao, TheWeek, 22 Sep. 2026

Noun

Their behinds gyrated with more purpose; their dancing seemed to become more intense and serious. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 7 Sep. 2026

As the graphic below shows, Fernandez-Pardo is comfortable running in-behind down the channels and sending in crosses, as well as beating his defender and cutting balls back for team-mates. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 1 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adverb or adjective

Middle English behinde, from Old English behindan, from be- + hindan from behind; akin to Old English hinder behind — more at hind

Preposition

Middle English behinde, behinden, from behinde, behinden, behind entry 1

Noun

noun derivative of behind entry 1

First Known Use

Adverb Or Adjective

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Preposition

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

circa 1830, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing behind

• behind bars
• behind closed doors
• behind enemy lines
• behind/off schedule
• behind one's back
• behind schedule
• behind someone's back
• behind the curve
• behind the eight ball
• behind the scenes
• behind the times
• behind the wheel
• drop behind
• fall behind
• get behind
• get behind the wheel
• leave the past behind
• lie behind
• power behind the throne
• put (something) behind (oneself)
• put/throw one's weight/influence behind
• rally for/behind
• run behind schedule
• stand behind
• stay behind
• the idea behind
• the power behind the throne
• trail (along) behind/after
• went behind his back
• wet behind the ears

Rhymes for behind

• aligned
• alined
• assigned
• combined
• confined
• consigned
• crosswind
• declined
• defined
• designed
• divined
• enshrined

Kids Definition

behind

1 of 2 adverb or adjective

be·​hind bi-ˈhīnd 

1

a

: in a place or time that is being or has been departed from

stay behind

left years of poverty behind

b

: at, to, or toward the back

look behind

fall behind

2

a

: not up to the general level

behind in school

b

: not keeping up to a schedule

behind in the car payments

behind

2 of 2 preposition

1

: at, to, or toward the back of

look behind you

a garden behind the house

2

: not up to the level of

sales are behind those of last year

behind the rest of the class

3

a

: in the background of

the reasons behind our success

b

: in support of

we're behind you all the way