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backhand

[ bak-hand ]

noun

  1. a stroke, slap, etc., made with the palm of the hand turned toward the body and the back of the hand turned in the direction of the stroke, slap, etc.
  2. (in tennis, squash, etc.) a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.
  3. handwriting that slopes toward the left.


adjective

  1. (in tennis, squash, etc.) of, relating to, or noting a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc. Compare forehand ( def 1 ).

adverb

  1. with the back of the hand:

    He hit him backhand across the face.

  2. from across the body; backhanded:

    She returned the ball backhand on the first serve.

verb (used with object)

  1. to strike with the back of the hand.
  2. to hit, produce, or accomplish with a backhand.
  3. to catch (a ball or the like) backhanded.

backhand

/ ˈæˌæԻ /

noun

  1. sport
    1. a stroke made across the body with the back of the hand facing the direction of the stroke
    2. ( as modifier )

      a backhand return

  2. the side on which backhand strokes are made
  3. handwriting slanting to the left
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adverb

  1. with a backhand stroke
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. sport to play (a shot) backhand
“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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yvlog History and Origins

Origin of backhand1

First recorded in 1650–60; back 2 + hand
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Mensik is another rising star in the men's game, possessing a huge serve and a thumping backhand that has taken him inside the world's top 50.

From

By the time I finally punch a backhand onto the other side, it’s been a few tries.

From

Raducanu won four games in a row to serve for the match at 5-3 - then was broken again after huge errors with a backhand drive into the net and a double fault.

From

Classics YouTube channel, though these are mostly — maybe entirely — extracted highlights rather than full cartoons, which is its own kind of backhanded insult.

From

Draper was broken in his first service game of the match, with Brooksby targeting his backhand, but he adapted well to the American's tempo.

From

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