What does behind mean?
"Behind" functions primarily as a preposition and adverb describing position at or toward the rear of something, whether physical space ("the garden behind the house"), time ("behind schedule"), or progress ("behind the competition"). It also carries important figurative senses: hidden or concealed causes ("the reason behind the decision"), support or endorsement ("standing behind a candidate"), and responsibility ("the mind behind the project"). As an adverb it marks something left or remaining ("leave nothing behind") or a state of lagging ("he trailed behind"). Informally, "behind" serves as a mild, humorous noun for a person's buttocks. The word is fully standard in both British and American English across all registers. Its connotations shift with context — neutral for location, faintly negative when implying delay or shortfall, and warmly positive when signalling loyalty or backing. Derived from Old English roots shared with "hind", it remains one of the most versatile and frequently used positional words in English.
At or toward the rear of; in a place or position further back than someone or something else.
"The keys were hidden behind the bookshelf."
Extends figuratively to time ('behind schedule'), support ('behind you'), causation ('the reason behind it'), and concealment ('behind closed doors').
In or to a place or position at the back or rear; remaining after departure or passage.
"He glanced behind to see if anyone was following."
Commonly pairs with verbs like fall, stay, lag, or leave.
(Informal) A person's buttocks.
"She slipped and landed on her behind."
Informal and mildly euphemistic; avoid in formal contexts.
Plural applies only to the informal noun sense referring to buttocks.
"The toddlers wiggled their behinds in the paddling pool."
Old English speakers built 'behind' from two tiny parts — 'be' plus 'hind' — the same root that gives us a 'hind' leg, so every time you say it you're speaking a thousand-year-old compound.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of behind
Behind derives from Old English 'behindan', a compound formed from the preposition 'be-' plus 'hindan', meaning 'from behind' — related to 'hind', the adjective for rear or back. It has cognates in other Germanic languages, reflecting its ancient Germanic roots. The word has been continuous in English since the earliest recorded period, retaining its core spatial sense while developing rich figurative extensions over the centuries.
Related word forms
How behind is actually used
'Behind' is standard in both British and American English across registers. The noun sense meaning buttocks is informal and mildly humorous, best avoided in formal writing. In figurative use, 'behind' often carries a slightly negative connotation of lagging or deficiency, as in 'behind schedule' or 'behind on payments', but it is neutral when expressing support ('I'm behind you').
Easily confused with behind
'Beside' means next to or at the side of something, while 'behind' means at or toward the back of it.
'Back' typically names the rear part of something itself, whereas 'behind' expresses a spatial relationship relative to it.