Is aback one word

Last Update: Jan 03, 2023

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Asked by: Cyril Hayes

Score: 4.3/5
(36 votes)

Aback sentence example

  1. He was taken aback momentarily, but he recovered swiftly. …
  2. Frederick appeared to be taken aback both by the story, and the speed at which Sarah relayed it. …
  3. Taken aback by his anger, she watched him run a hand through his hair in an unusual sign of agitation.

What aback means?

1 archaic : backward, back. 2 : in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail) 3 : by surprise : unawares was taken aback by her sharp retort.

How do you say taken aback?

taken aback

  1. amazed,
  2. astonished,
  3. astounded,
  4. bowled over,
  5. dumbfounded.
  6. (also dumfounded),
  7. flabbergasted,
  8. floored,

Is it taken back or taken aback?

When you’re startled by something, you’re taken aback by it. When you’re reminded of something from your past, you’re taken back to that time.

What is another word for aback?

In this page you can discover 11 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for aback, like: by surprise, unawares, unexpectedly, behind, sudden, suddenly, unawarely, prepared, evasive action, unaware and short.

35 related questions found

What is the synonym of entail?

In this page you can discover 30 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for entail, like: involve, require, over, necessitate, necessary, imply, demand, encompass, implicate, give-rise-to and impose.

What is the opposite of aback?

aback. Antonyms: onwards, forwards, ahead, before, afront, beyond, afore. Synonyms: backwards, rearwards, aft, abaft, astern, behind, back.

Does not Hold Water meaning?

phrase. If an argument or theory does not hold water, it does not seem to be reasonable or be in accordance with the facts. This argument simply cannot hold water in Europe. Synonyms: be sound, work, stand up, be convincing More Synonyms of hold water.

How is taken aback used?

: to surprise or shock (someone) —usually used as (be) taken aback When I told him my answer, he seemed taken aback. —often + by He was taken aback by her answer.

Was immediately taken aback?

If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once.

What is another word for Shocked?

In this page you can discover 70 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for shocked, like: startled, astounded, appalled, astonished, aghast, dismayed, amazed, troubled, offended, stupefied and upset.

Is taken aback negative?

Of the two, «taken aback» is stronger, in my opinion. It’s also exclusively a negative reaction, as far as I know. «I was surprised by my friends at the airport» is a positive experience. You couldn’t substitute «I was taken aback by my friends at the airport» and have the same positive tone to it.

Is aback one word or two?

adverb. 1 archaic Toward or situated to the rear; back. ‘The two started down the dusty road and John was quick to follow, but his father’s words pulled him aback. ‘

What does disconcerted mean?

transitive verb. 1 : to throw into confusion disconcerting their plans. 2 : to disturb the composure of were disconcerted by his tone of voice.

Why do people say taken back instead of taken aback?

Taken back is a corruption of taken aback, a long-standing idiom meaning «taken by surprise.» Taken back properly means «to be returned.» These days, however, taken back is used in statements like, «I was taken back by his rudeness.» The snarky online Urban Dictionary cautions that taken back is a «phrase used by semi- …

How do you describe being taken aback in writing?

“Taken aback” is used as an adjective meaning “shocked, amazed, astounded.” In modern usage, it is frequently followed by an adjective complement. … The adjective complement always follows the adjective it complements and is a noun clause or a prepositional phrase.

Is taken aback an idiom?

When someone is taken aback, they are very shocked, surprise, or, to use another expression taken off guard. Used in a sentence such as “He was taken aback at his employee’s behavior,” this idiom takes on the meaning of a single word, with synonyms such as astonished, disconcerted, amazed, dumbstruck, startled, etc.

What does a flea in his ear mean?

An annoying hint or a stinging rebuke, as in He has a flea in his ear about their relationship, or If he doesn’t bring the right equipment, I’ll put a flea in his ear. This expression originated in French and has been used in English since the 1400s.

Does every pie have a finger?

If you say that someone has a finger in every pie, you mean they are involved in a lot of things. He very much likes to have a finger in every pie.

What does put it on the cuff mean?

1. On credit, as in He tried to hire a detective on the cuff. It is sometimes put as put on the cuff, meaning “extend credit to,” as in They asked to be put on the cuff until they got their monthly check. This usage probably alludes to the practice of recording bar tabs on the bartender’s cuff.

What is the Hindi meaning of synonyms?

/sɪˈnɒnɪməs सिˈनॉनिमस्/ adjective. Synonymous words or expressions have the same meaning as each other. समानार्थकपर्यायवाची

What is the meaning of aback Urdu?

Adverb. By surprise. Taken aback by the caustic remarks. حیران ہوجانا، دنگ رہ جانا

What is a synonym for personification?

In this page you can discover 23 synonyms, antonyms, idiomatic expressions, and related words for personification, like: imagery, embodiment, prosopopoeia, exteriorization, anthropomorphism, manifestation, externalization, metaphor, personalization, representation and materialization.

Plan

  • 1 Is aback a word?
  • 2 How do you use taken aback in a sentence?
  • 3 Is end up a phrasal verb?
  • 4 What is the meaning of end up together?
  • 5 What does it mean to end up?
  • 6 Is it correct to say how comes?
  • 7 Do Americans say how come?

To be taken aback is to be taken by surprise. You might be taken aback when your grandmother suddenly demonstrates her yodeling skills. When you see the adverb aback, it almost always follows the verb “to take.” When you’re taken aback, you’re startled, often by another person’s actions.

What is the meaning of phrasal verb take aback?

phrasal verb. take somebody aback. ​[usually passive] to shock or surprise somebody very much. Brendan was taken aback by her sudden question.

How do you use taken aback in a sentence?

Aback sentence example. He was taken aback momentarily, but he recovered swiftly. Taken aback by his anger, she watched him run a hand through his hair in an unusual sign of agitation. Frederick appeared to be taken aback both by the story, and the speed at which Sarah relayed it.

How do you use take off?

You can also say ‘take off’ when you want to remove something such as clothes. He takes off his jacket when he gets home. If you are taking a break from work, you can say you are taking something time off. I took a week off to move house.

Is end up a phrasal verb?

End Up is a non-separable phrasal verb and has 1 definition.

What is the difference between end and end up?

The verb “end” is a synonym of the verb “finish.” The verb “end” is used more often as an intransitive verb. The phrasal verb “end up” communicates, not termination, but an eventual circumstance. “If you don’t stop drinking, you’ll end up dead.” “After a night at the movies, we ended up eating at Denny’s restaurant.”

What is the meaning of end up together?

1. To reach some conclusion, state, or situation due to a particular course of action. Thanks to that traffic jam, I ended up being late to the meeting. Sara has always loved to read so I’m not surprised that she ended up an English major. I really think that you and your high school sweetheart will end up together.

How did you end up meaning?

“How did you end up there?” or “How did you get here?” are basically the same. end up is a phrasal verb that means to reach a particular place or achieve a situation after other activities: *just think of “end up” as a result or a consequence of something.

What does it mean to end up?

: to reach or come to a place, condition, or situation that was not planned or expected The book ended up in the trash. He didn’t want to end up like his father. She ended up a rich woman.

Is end up informal?

“Resulted in” is formal and defines a direct relationship. “Ended up with” is informal, and could suggest that there may have been other factors involved.

Is it correct to say how comes?

Bernhard Sulzer: how come is a standard phrase but it is not necessarily always acceptable English (more a colloquialism); how comes – if it’s not short for how comes it – is definitely slang and grammatically wrong. / Thanks! 😉

What is usage grammar?

“What” and “which” are both interrogative pronouns. This means they stand for something the speaker does not yet know. They work for objects, qualities, or places, but they never work for people. For people, you generally use the word “who” instead.

Do Americans say how come?

Americans started using the phrase “how come” in the mid-1800s. It comes from older phrases such as “how comes it that…?” Although the word “how” has had a sense of “why” in its meaning for hundreds of years, “how come” is still considered to be more informal than “why.”

Do we say math or maths?

How to use math and maths. The only difference between math and maths is where they’re used. Math is the preferred term in the United States and Canada. Maths is the preferred term in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, and other English-speaking places.

назад, сзади, задом

наречие

- назад

to hold oneself /to stand/ aback from — держаться на расстоянии от; держаться в стороне от; избегать
taken aback — а) поражённый, ошеломлённый; захваченный врасплох; I was quite taken aback at their bad manners

Мои примеры

Словосочетания

The ship came up into the wind with all yards aback. — Судно вышло против ветра с обстененными парусами.  
taken aback by the caustic remarks — захваченный врасплох этими едкими замечаниями  
to stand aback from — держаться на расстоянии  
brace aback — обстенить паруса; обстенять  
bracing aback — обстеняющий; обстенение  
be taken aback — опешить  
braced aback — обстенённый  
flat aback — с выбранными втугую шкотами  
go aback — иметь задний ход  
hold oneself aback from — держаться на расстоянии от; держаться в стороне от; избегать  
laid aback — с обстененными парусами  
stand aback — держаться в стороне; избегать  

Примеры с переводом

He was taken aback by such inhospitality.

Он был смущён /озадачен/ такой неприветливостью.

For a moment, I was completely taken aback by her request.

На мгновение я был совершенно сбит с толку её просьбой.

His sudden change of opinion took us all aback.

Мы все были чрезвычайно удивлены, что он так неожиданно сменил свою точку зрения.

They were completely taken aback by the neighbors’ announcement that they were moving.

Объявление соседей о скором переезде стало для них полной неожиданностью.

We were taken aback by our aunt’s ungracious reply to the invitation we had sent her.

Нелюбезный ответ нашей тётки на посланное ей приглашение застал нас врасплох.

Table of Contents

  1. Is back an adjective or adverb?
  2. What is the word aback?
  3. Is aback a preposition?
  4. What’s another word for taken aback?
  5. What is the phrasal verb of set up?
  6. What are the two meanings of back?
  7. What does back mean in slang?
  8. What does the back of three mean?
  9. What does back side mean?
  10. Is backside one word or two words?
  11. Why is it called back side?
  12. What is your backside called?
  13. What is another word for rear?
  14. Are buttocks fat or muscle?
  15. What’s another word for behind?
  16. What is another word for hidden?
  17. What is the antonym for behind?
  18. What words rhyme with behind?
  19. Can you rhyme rhyme with behind?
  20. What are some words that rhyme with friends?
  21. What words rhyme with outside?
  22. What are words that rhyme with work?
  23. What words rhyme with up?

Aback sentence example

Is back an adjective or adverb?

Back is an adverb, noun, adjective or verb. Back can mean ‘returning to an earlier starting point or situation’ or ‘moving to a point further away’ or ‘replying to something’. Back also means ‘at the rear of’ or ‘the part of a person or thing that is opposite the front’.

What is the word aback?

1 archaic : backward, back. 2 : in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail) 3 : by surprise : unawares was taken aback by her sharp retort. Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about aback.

Is aback a preposition?

No,it is not a preposition. It is an adverb.

  1. He was taken aback momentarily, but he recovered swiftly.
  2. Frederick appeared to be taken aback both by the story, and the speed at which Sarah relayed it.
  3. Taken aback by his anger, she watched him run a hand through his hair in an unusual sign of agitation.
  4. “Wow,” she said, taken aback .

What’s another word for taken aback?

What is another word for taken aback?

stunned stupefied
dazed dumbfounded
amazed speechless
surprised bemused
gobsmacked shocked

What is the phrasal verb of set up?

1to build something or put something somewhere The police set up roadblocks on routes out of the city. to make a piece of equipment or a machine ready for use She set up her stereo in her bedroom. to arrange for something to happen I’ve set up a meeting for Friday.

What are the two meanings of back?

(Entry 1 of 5) 1a(1) : the rear part of the human body especially from the neck to the end of the spine. (2) : the body considered as the wearer of clothes They were left with nothing but the clothes on their backs. (3) : capacity for labor, effort, or endurance Put your back into it!

What does back mean in slang?

So now you know – BACK means “Woman’s bottom” – don’t thank us. YW! What does BACK mean? BACK is an acronym, abbreviation or slang word that is explained above where the BACK definition is given.

What does the back of three mean?

‘The back of 3’ – This is a phrase to describe time. To me, logically time moves forward, so when you’re at the back of three, you’re behind three so you’re not there yet, meaning that it is 2:45. Well, if anyone else thinks logically like me, you are wrong. ‘The back of three’ means 3:10, or just past three.

What does back side mean?

2 or back side : the side or surface opposite the front or face of something : the farthest or reverse side : back A tight, rocky couloir drops down the backside of the peak …—

Is backside one word or two words?

n Backside băk”sīd` The hinder part, posteriors, or rump of a person or animal. ☞ Backside one word) was formerly used of the rear part or side of any thing or place, but in such senses is now two words.

Why is it called back side?

The names frontside and backside originate from surfing where they mean the direction the surfer is facing while surfing a wave. If the surfer is facing the wave, he or she is surfing frontside, otherwise he or she is surfing backside.

What is your backside called?

arse, ass, behind, buns, buttocks, hind end, hindquarters, keister, nates, posterior, prat, derriere, fanny, rear end, tooshie, tush, seat, fundament, rump, bottom, stern, tail end, tail, bum, can, butt, rear. body part – any part of an organism such as an organ or extremity.

What is another word for rear?

Frequently Asked Questions About rear Some common synonyms of rear are boost, elevate, heave, hoist, lift, and raise.

Are buttocks fat or muscle?

The shape of the buttocks is defined by muscles known as the glutes. That’s the gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, and gluteus minimus, as well as the fat that lies over them. Walking, running, and climbing all work the glutes.

What’s another word for behind?

What is another word for behind?

delayed overdue
backward belated
delinquent latish
slow behind schedule
behind target in arrears

What is another word for hidden?

concealed covered
latent surreptitious
unexposed unseen
clouded disguised
eclipsed masked

What is the antonym for behind?

Antonym of Behind

Word Antonym
Behind In Front Of
Get definition and list of more Antonym and Synonym in English Grammar.

What words rhyme with behind?

Word Rhyme rating Categories
bind 100 Noun
remind 100 Verb
refined 100 Adjective
resigned 100 Adjective

Can you rhyme rhyme with behind?

‘behind’ may also rhyme with: 69 · 9 · brine · bryne · chine · cline · clyne · crime · cryed · dhein… bind · blind · dined · find · fined · freind · grind · grinned · hind · kind…

What are some words that rhyme with friends?

Words That Rhyme With “Friends” :

  • 1 syllable: bends, blends, ends, fends, friend’s, lends, sends, spends, tends, trends, wends.
  • 2 syllables: amends, ascends, attends, befriends, commends, contends, defends, depends, descends, extends, intends, offends, portends, pretends, suspends, transcends.
  • 3 syllables:
  • 4 syllables:

What words rhyme with outside?

Words That Rhyme With Outside

  • Syllable Words That Rhyme With Outside. Bide. Bride. Chide. Clyde. Cried. Died.
  • Syllable Words That Rhyme With Outside. Abide. Allied. Applied. Aside. Astride.
  • Syllable Words That Rhyme With Outside. Alongside. Amplified. Beautified. Calcified. Certified.
  • Syllable Words That Rhyme With Outside.

What are words that rhyme with work?

Word Rhyme rating Categories
lurk 100 Verb
shirk 100 Verb
berserk 100 Noun, Adjective
perk 100 Noun, Verb

What words rhyme with up?

Word Rhyme rating Meter
sup 100 [/]
pup 100 [/]
Krupp 100 [/]
yup 100 [/]
  • 1
    aback

    Англо-русский словарь Мюллера > aback

  • 2
    aback

    Персональный Сократ > aback

  • 3
    aback

    əˈbæk нареч.;
    уст. назад;
    задом;
    сзади to stand aback from ≈ держаться на расстоянии;
    избегать taken aback ≈ ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох I was quite taken aback at their bad manners. ≈ Я был неприятно поражен их невоспитанностью.

    aback уст. назад;
    сзади;
    задом;
    to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от;
    избегать;
    taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох

    aback уст. назад;
    сзади;
    задом;
    to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от;
    избегать;
    taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох

    aback уст. назад;
    сзади;
    задом;
    to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от;
    избегать;
    taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох

    Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > aback

  • 4
    aback

    [əˈbæk]

    aback уст. назад; сзади; задом; to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от; избегать; taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох aback уст. назад; сзади; задом; to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от; избегать; taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох aback уст. назад; сзади; задом; to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от; избегать; taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох

    English-Russian short dictionary > aback

  • 5
    aback

    Слово aback встречается только в выражении to take aback — захватить врасплох, поразить, ошеломить.

    We were taken aback by the news. — Новость нас поразила.

    I was taken aback by his audacity. — Я растерялся от его наглости.

    Происхождение этого слова морское. Когда на корабль с прямым парусным оснащением налетал сильный, порывистый ветер, паруса прилипали к мачтам, и он резко останавливался, как будто замирал, т. е. the ship was taken aback. Когда случается нечто катастрофическое или когда человек узнаёт о чем-то неожиданном, он реагирует подобным образом.

    English-Russian dictionary of expressions > aback

  • 6
    aback

    Англо-русский морской словарь > aback

  • 7
    aback

    [əʹbæk]

    арх., мор.

    назад

    to hold oneself /to stand/ aback from — держаться на расстоянии от; держаться в стороне от; избегать

    taken aback — а) поражённый, ошеломлённый; захваченный врасплох; I was quite taken aback at their bad manners — я был неприятно поражён их невоспитанностью; б) обстенённый ()

    НБАРС > aback

  • 8
    aback

    Англо-русский синонимический словарь > aback

  • 9
    aback

    назад; сзади; задом

    to stand aback from держаться на расстоянии, в стороне от; избегать

    taken aback ошеломленный, захваченный врасплох

    * * *

    * * *

    назад; задом; сзади

    * * *

    [a·back || ə’bæk]
    назад, задом, сзади

    * * *

    вперед-назад

    вспять

    назад

    обратно

    туда-назад

    туда-обратно

    Новый англо-русский словарь > aback

  • 10
    aback

    [ə’bæk]

    назад; задом; сзади

    ••

    taken aback — ошеломлённый, захваченный врасплох

    Англо-русский современный словарь > aback

  • 11
    aback

    [ə’bæk]

    2) Морской термин: назад

    Универсальный англо-русский словарь > aback

  • 12
    aback

    [ə`bæk]

    назад; задом; сзади

    Англо-русский большой универсальный переводческий словарь > aback

  • 13
    aback

    English-Russian marine dictionary > aback

  • 14
    aback

    вперед-назад

    вспять

    назад

    обратно

    туда-назад

    туда-обратно

    English-Russian smart dictionary > aback

  • 15
    aback

    задувание ветра в парус, обстенивание паруса

    English-Russian Yachting dictionary > aback

  • 16
    aback

    adv арх. мор. назад

    Синонимический ряд:

    1. backward (adj.) back; backward; behind; rearward; to the rear

    2. unawares (other) by surprise; short; sudden; suddenly; unanticipatedly; unaware; unawaredly; unawares; unexpected; unexpectedly

    English-Russian base dictionary > aback

  • 17
    aback

    English-Russian mining dictionary > aback

  • 18
    aback

    English-Russian dictionary of popular words > aback

  • 19
    take aback

    [‘teɪkə’bæk]

    v

    сбивать с толку, ошеломлять, поражать, захватывать врасплох

    She was taken aback by some portraits. — Некоторые портреты привели ее в замешательство.

    His sudden change of opinion took us aback. — Неожиданное изменение его мнения сбило нас с толку.

    He was taken aback by her appearance. — Ее появление привело его в замешательство.

    take smb aback


    — be taken aback by smth

    USAGE:

    Глагол to take aback чаще употребляется в форме пассивного залога: to be taken aback

    English-Russian combinatory dictionary > take aback

  • 20
    take aback

    Большой англо-русский и русско-английский словарь > take aback

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См. также в других словарях:

  • Aback — A*back ([.a]*b[a^]k ), adv. [Pref. a + back; AS. on b[ae]c at, on, or toward the back. See {Back}.] 1. Toward the back or rear; backward. Therewith aback she started. Chaucer. [1913 Webster] 2. Behind; in the rear. Knolles. [1913 Webster] 3.… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • aback — ► ADVERB archaic ▪ towards or situated to the rear. ● take aback Cf. ↑take aback ORIGIN Old English …   English terms dictionary

  • aback — (adv.) c.1200, from O.E. on bæc at or on the back; see BACK (Cf. back) (n.). Now surviving mainly in taken aback, originally a nautical expression in reference to a sudden change of wind that flattens the square sails back against the masts and… …   Etymology dictionary

  • aback — [ə bak′] adv. [OE on bæc, at or on the back] 1. Archaic backward; back 2. Naut. backward against the mast, as the sails of a square rigged vessel in a wind from straight ahead taken aback 1. Naut. in an unmanageable condition, as because of a… …   English World dictionary

  • Aback — Ab ack ([a^]b ak), n. An abacus. [Obs.] B. Jonson. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • aback — [adv] taken unawares confused, surprised, thrown off, thrown off guard*; concept 403 …   New thesaurus

  • aback — adv. taken aback (I was taken aback) ( I was startled ) * * * [ə bæk] taken aback ( I was startled ; I was taken aback) …   Combinatory dictionary

  • aback — adv. 1 archaic backwards, behind. 2 Naut. (of a sail) pressed against the mast by a head wind. Phrases and idioms: take aback 1 surprise, disconcert (your request took me aback; I was greatly taken aback by the news). 2 (as taken aback) (of a… …   Useful english dictionary

  • aback — /euh bak /, adv. 1. toward the back. 2. Naut. so that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails. 3. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted: I was taken aback by his harsh criticism. adj. Naut. 4. (of a sail) positioned so… …   Universalium

  • aback — [[t]əbæ̱k[/t]] PHRASE: usu v link PHR, oft PHR by n If you are taken aback by something, you are surprised or shocked by it and you cannot respond at once. Roland was taken aback by our strength of feeling… Derek was taken aback when a man… …   English dictionary

  • aback — adverb /əˈbæk/ a) Towards the back or rear; backwards; away. Therewith aback she started. b) Behind; in the rear. By setting the foresail aback and the headsail in the middle one can bring a fore and aft rigged sailing boat practically to a halt… …   Wiktionary

2

: in a position to catch the wind upon the forward surface (as of a sail)

3

: by surprise : unawares

was taken aback by her sharp retort

Synonyms

Example Sentences



completely taken aback by the neighbors’ announcement that they were moving

Recent Examples on the Web

More:Marquette reaches its highest ranking since the 1970s in AP college basketball top 25 poll The relationship between Jones and Joplin includes a lot of give-and-take, but this particular interaction took Jones aback.


Ben Steele, Journal Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2023





Charlamagne tha God and DJ Nyla Symone were taken aback, so Schulz explained.


Los Angeles Times, 8 Feb. 2023





Yet we were taken aback to learn that Tyre Nichols, a young Black man, had been severely beaten by five Black police officers in Memphis, Tenn., following a traffic stop.


Steven P. Dinkin, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023





Meanwhile, Taurus would be taken aback by Aquarius’ approach to life.


Aryelle Siclait, Women’s Health, 2 Feb. 2023





While carrying a small bouquet of white roses, de Rossi makes her way to DeGeneres, 65, who is visibly in awe of her wife and taken aback by the grand gesture — which also included an acoustic serenade performed by Brandi Carlile.


Michelle Lee, Peoplemag, 2 Feb. 2023





Bernard must have been taken aback by this letter from an unknown nun.


Alex Ross, The New Yorker, 30 Jan. 2023





Some Pentagon officials were taken aback that German officials were publicly admitting the link between the Abrams tanks and the Leopards, one official said, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations.


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Some of those who knew Kohberger were taken aback at the allegations, while others expressed less surprise.


Jessica Sager, Peoplemag, 25 Jan. 2023



See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word ‘aback.’ Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

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

Time Traveler

The first known use of aback was
before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near aback

Cite this Entry

“Aback.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aback. Accessed 14 Apr. 2023.

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Last Updated:
4 Mar 2023
— Updated example sentences

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Merriam-Webster unabridged

a·back

 (ə-băk′)

adv.

1. By surprise: He was taken aback by her caustic remarks.

2. Nautical In such a way that the wind pushes against the forward side of a sail or sails.

3. Archaic Back; backward.

American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

aback

(əˈbæk)

adv

1. startled or disconcerted

2. (Nautical Terms) nautical (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion

3. rare towards the back; backwards

[Old English on bæc to the back]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014

a•back

(əˈbæk)

adv.

1. with the wind against the forward side of the sail.

2. toward the back.

Idioms:

take aback, to surprise; disconcert.

[before 1000; Middle English; Old English on bæc to the rear. See a-1, on, back1]

Random House Kernerman Webster’s College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.

aback

— Originated in sailing, as a ship was taken aback when a strong gust of wind suddenly blew the sails back against the mast, causing the ship to stop momentarily.

See also related terms for sailing.

Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.

aback

When the wind blows on the wrong side of the sail, preventing forward motion.

Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited

ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

aback

adverb

take someone aback surprise, throw, shock, stun, confuse, astonish, stagger, startle, bewilder, astound, disconcert, bowl over (informal), stupefy, floor (informal), knock for six, dumbfound, leave open-mouthed, nonplus, flabbergast (informal) He was taken aback when a man answered the phone.

Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002

aback

adverb

Without adequate preparation:

Idiom: by surprise.

The American Heritage® Roget’s Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Translations

اجأ

překvapenýzaraženýzpět

forbløffet

malantaŭen

pakkistagasitagaspiditagurpidi

جاخوردنغافلگیرشدنیکه خوردن

pakkitaaksepäintakaisintakanatakaosa

पीछ॓ की ओर

agndofa

priblokštas

pārsteigts

atrazpelo contrariopor detraz ás avessas

naspäť

đằng saulùi lạitrở lạivề

Collins Spanish Dictionary — Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005

Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005

aback

Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007

Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995

aback

(əˈbӕk) : taken aback

surprised and usually rather upset. She was taken aback by his rudeness.

Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.

English[edit]

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /əˈbæk/
  • (General American) IPA(key): /əˈbæk/
  • Rhymes: -æk

Etymology 1[edit]

From Middle English abak, from Old English onbæc, equivalent to a- (towards) +‎ back. Compare West Frisian tebek (aback, adverb, literally to/at back), Swedish tillbaka (idem.).

Adverb[edit]

aback (not comparable)

  1. (archaic) Towards the back or rear; backwards. [First attested prior to 1150.][1]
    • 1815, David Laurie, A Treatise on Finance, under which, the General Interests of the British Empire are Illustrated, Glasgow: Chapman, page 322:

      The mild, though licentious reign, of Louis the Sixteenth, threw France far aback, in her ambitious career; but it gave birth to that revolution, wherein, her warlike propensities and territorial resources were unfolded with tenfold efficacy.

    • 1889, William Morris, A Tale of the House of the Wolfings and All the Kindreds of the Mark, London: Reeves & Turner, page 31:

      Then stopped, and bounded aback, and away as if in fear, / That I saw her no more; then I wondered though sitting close anear / Was a she-wolf great and grisly.

  2. (archaic) In the rear; a distance behind. [First attested prior to 1150.][1]
    • 1840, “Proceedings of an Inquiry held at plantation Reliance, in the county of Essequibo”, in Papers Relative to the West Indies, 1841: British Guiana, London: H.M.S.O., published 1841, page 201:

      There are so many canes upon Reliance that the labourers could not cut those aback, as they prefer cutting those in front. The cane fields aback were in cultivation last year.

  3. By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage)
    • 1808, The Post-Captain: A View of Naval Society and Manners, 3rd edition, London: Thomas Tegg, page 165:

      I would rather board a hundred of the enemy’s frigates, than steer my boat into a fleet of modest women, for a modest woman never fails to take me aback.

  4. (nautical) Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the «wrong» (forward) side, or of a ship when its sails are set that way. [First attested in the late 17th century.][1]
    • 1757, Charles Fearne, The Trial of the Honourable Admiral John Byng, at a Court Martial, London: Manby, et al, page 89:

      Q. Was not the Trident at that time aback with one or more Top-sails? A. To the best of my Knowledge she had both Top-sails aback.

    • 1841, Benjamin J. Totten, Naval Text-book, Boston: Little & Brown, page 144:

      As the anchor fetches her up, she will swing head to wind, bringing the head sails aback.

    • 2001, Russell Drumm, The Barque of Saviors, Houghton Mifflin, page 91:

      Then the sails on the mainmast were backing and we started getting stern way. Eagle was caught aback.

Usage notes[edit]
  • (by surprise): Preceded by a form of the word take, see take aback.
Derived terms[edit]
  • aback of
Translations[edit]

backwards

  • Afan Oromo: rifachuu (om), nahuu (om), na’uu (om)
  • Arabic: إِلَى اَلْخَلْف(ʔilā l-ḵalf)
  • Bengali: পেছন দিকে (pechon dike), অবাক (bn) (obak)
  • Bulgarian: назад (bg) (nazad), заднишком (bg) (zadniškom)
  • Czech: zpět (cs)
  • Danish: baglæns
  • Dutch: achterwaarts (nl), rugwaarts (nl)
  • Estonian: tagasi (et), tagaspidi, tagurpidi
  • Finnish: takaisin (fi), taaksepäin (fi)
  • French: en arrière (fr)
  • German: rückwärts (de)
  • Greek: προς τα πίσω (pros ta píso)
  • Hindi: पीछ॓ की ओर (archaic), बोचक्क (bocakk)
  • Italian: indietro (it)
  • Japanese: 後方へ (ja) (kōhō e)
  • Kazakh: артқа (kk) (artqa)
  • Norwegian: bakk (no)
  • Persian: جاخوردن‎, یکه خوردن (fa), غافلگیرشدن
  • Polish: wstecz (pl), do tyłu (pl)
  • Portuguese: atrás (pt), para trás
  • Russian: наза́д (ru) (nazád)
  • Scottish Gaelic: air ais
  • Serbo-Croatian:
    Cyrillic: у̀наза̄д, на̏за̄д, на̏тра̄г
    Roman: ùnazād (sh), nȁzād (sh), nȁtrāg (sh)
  • Slovak: naspäť
  • Spanish: atrás (es), hacia atrás
  • Swedish: bakåt (sv)
  • Turkish: geriye
  • Ukrainian: наза́д (nazád)

in the rear

  • Bulgarian: отзад (bg) (otzad)
  • Danish: bagi, bagved
  • Dutch: achteraan (nl)
  • Esperanto: malantaŭen
  • Finnish: takana (fi), perässä (fi)
  • French: derrière (fr)
  • German: hinten (de)
  • Italian: dietro (it), di dietro
  • Manx: cooyl (aym, etc.), çheu choylloo (jeem, etc.)
  • Polish: z tyłu (pl)
  • Portuguese: atrás (pt)
  • Russian: сза́ди (ru) (szádi), позади́ (ru) (pozadí)
  • Swedish: där bak
  • Ukrainian: поза́ду (pozádu), зза́ду (zzádu)
  • Vietnamese: đằng sau (vi), lùi lại, trở lại (vi) phía sau, về (vi) phía sau

said of sails pressed backward

  • Dutch: bak (nl), met een kopwind
  • Finnish: pakilla (fi)
  • Greek: προς τα πίσω (pros ta píso)
  • Italian: a collo
  • Manx: ergooyl
  • Maori: kōpio
  • Polish: bieg wsteczny
  • Russian: про́тив ве́тра (prótiv vétra)
  • Swedish: back (sv)
  • Turkish: pupada
  • Vietnamese: (please verify) bị thổi ép vào cột buồm

Translations to be checked

  • Afrikaans: (please verify) agtar
  • Albanian: (please verify) prapa (sq)
  • Azerbaijani: (please verify) geriyә
  • Indonesian: (please verify) mundur (id)
  • Korean: (please verify) 거꾸로 (ko) (geokkuro)
  • Latvian: (please verify) atpakaļ
  • Lithuanian: (please verify) atbulomis
  • Norwegian: (please verify) baklengs
  • Romanian: (please verify) înapoi (ro)
  • Slovene: (please verify) nazaj (sl)
  • Turkish: (please verify) geriye, (please verify) arkaya, (please verify) arka tarafa

See also[edit]

  • back
  • Category:English phrasal verbs with particle (aback)

Etymology 2[edit]

From abacus.

Noun[edit]

aback (plural abacks)

  1. (obsolete) An abacus.
    • 1604, Ben Jonson, “Part of the King’s Entertainment in Passing to His Coronation”, in The Works of Ben Jonson, London: Printed by Thomas Hodgkin, published 1692, page 306:

      In the Centre, or midst of the Pegm, there was an Aback, or Square, wherein this Elogy was written.

Translations[edit]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Lesley Brown, editor-in-chief; William R. Trumble and Angus Stevenson, editors (2002), “aback”, in The Shorter Oxford English Dictionary on Historical Principles, 5th edition, Oxford; New York, N.Y.: Oxford University Press, →ISBN, page 2.

Anagrams[edit]

  • Baack, Bačka

Scots[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

  • a-back

Etymology[edit]

From Middle English abak, from Old English onbæc, equivalent to a- +‎ back.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • IPA(key): /əˈbɑk/

Adverb[edit]

aback

  1. behind, in the rear
  2. away, aloof, off
  3. since, ago

Derived terms[edit]

  • aback o’

References[edit]

  • “aback, adv.” in the Dictionary of the Scots Language, Edinburgh: Scottish Language Dictionaries.
    • See Also:
      • ab initio
      • ab intra
      • ab origine
      • ab ovo
      • ab urbe condita
      • ab-
      • aba
      • abaca
      • abaciscus
      • abacist
      • aback
      • Abaco
      • abacterial
      • abaculus
      • abacus
      • Abadan
      • Abaddon
      • abaft
      • Abagtha
      • Abailard
      • Abakan
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WordReference Random House Learner’s Dictionary of American English © 2023

a•back /əˈbæk/USA pronunciation  
adv. Idioms

  1. Idiomsbe taken aback, to be surprised:The tourist was taken aback by the garbage on the streets.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2023

a•back 
(ə bak),USA pronunciation adv. 

  1. toward the back.
  2. Nautical, Naval Termsso that the wind presses against the forward side of the sail or sails.
  3. taken aback, surprised and disconcerted:I was taken aback by his harsh criticism.

adj. [Naut.]

  1. Nautical, Naval Terms(of a sail) positioned so that the wind presses against the forward side.
  2. Nautical(of a yard) positioned so that its sail is laid aback.
  • Middle English abak, Old English on bæc to the rear. See a1, on, back1 bef. 1000

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

aback /əˈbæk/ adv

  1. taken abackstartled or disconcerted
  2. (of a vessel or sail) having the wind against the forward side so as to prevent forward motion

Etymology: Old English on bæc to the back

aback‘ also found in these entries (note: many are not synonyms or translations):

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