backhand

1 of 4

noun

back·​hand ˈbak-ˌhand How to pronounce backhand (audio)
1
a
: a stroke (as in tennis) made with the back of the hand turned in the direction of movement
also : the side on which such strokes are made
b
: a catch (as in baseball) made to the side of the body opposite the hand being used
2
: handwriting whose strokes slant downward from left to right

Illustration of backhand

Illustration of backhand
  • backhand 1a

backhand

2 of 4

adjective

: made with a backhand
a backhand tennis stroke

backhand

3 of 4

adverb

back·​hand ˈbak-ˌhand How to pronounce backhand (audio)
variants or backhanded
: with a backhand

backhand

4 of 4

verb

backhanded; backhanding; backhands

transitive verb

: to do, hit, or catch backhand

Examples of backhand in a Sentence

Noun She has a good backhand but a weak forehand.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Draper gestured for volume at 4-4 in the breaker and found an astonishing backhand ripper to set up match point. Tim Ellis, Forbes.com, 18 June 2025 Svitolina, who had anticipated that kind of ball, knifed away a backhand winner to keep herself alive. Charlie Eccleshare, New York Times, 1 June 2025
Adjective
The Winterhawks don’t get back as a give-and-go between Korchinski and Schaefer in the neutral zone creates a 2-on-1, and Korchinski quickly makes a backhand feed to Crnkovic in front. Dylan Bumbarger, oregonlive, 26 Nov. 2022 Dalton, who has four game-winning goals this season, beat Quinnipiac goalie Logan Angers with a backhand shot 11:42, then Emma Seitz scores from point-blank range from in front of the right circle at 16:21. Dom Amore, Hartford Courant, 21 Jan. 2023
Adverb
Radulov showed backhand before pulling it to his forehand and slipping the puck past Linus Ullmark. Dallas News, 30 Jan. 2022 When one last backhand by Nadal found the net, Tiafoe put his hands on his head. Howard Fendrich, Chicago Tribune, 6 Sep. 2022
Verb
But Barkov pulled the puck back forward and under his left skate and smoothly backhanded it into the net at 7:43 of the second to tie it at 1-1. Adam Lichtenstein, Sun Sentinel, 19 May 2025 The next batter, Chapman, sent a 110 mph grounder down the line that Iglesias backhanded while sliding, then got up and threw to first. Kevin Acee, San Diego Union-Tribune, 3 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for backhand

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1657, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Adjective

1695, in the meaning defined above

Adverb

1767, in the meaning defined above

Verb

circa 1896, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of backhand was in 1657

Cite this Entry

“Backhand.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backhand. Accessed 29 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

backhand

1 of 4 noun
back·​hand -ˌhand How to pronounce backhand (audio)
1
a
: a stroke (as in tennis) made with the back of the hand turned in the direction of movement
b
: a catch made with the arm across the body and the palm turned away from the body
2
: handwriting in which the letters slant to the left

backhand

2 of 4 adjective
: using or made with a backhand

backhand

3 of 4 verb
: to do, hit, or catch with a backhand

backhand

4 of 4 adverb
variants or backhanded
ˈbak-ˈhan-dəd
: with a backhand
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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