behind

Meanings

1. 1
   adv

   in or to or toward the rear

   Wherever I went, my dog followed behind.

2. 2
   adv

   remaining in a place or condition that has been left or departed from

   When they died, they left much unfinished work behind.

3. 3
   adv

   in debt or in need of repayment

   They fell behind with their mortgage payments.

4. 4
   adv

   in or into an inferior position

   They fell behind in their studies.

5. 5
   prep

   At or to the back or far side of.

   The children were hiding behind the wall.

6. 6
   prep

   Less forward or advanced than; after.

   Smith finished the race a lap behind the others.

7. 7
   prep

   Responsible for, being the creator or controller of.

   Who is behind these terrorist attacks?

8. 8
   prep

   Underlying, being the reason for or explanation of.

   What is behind this unexpected decision?

Etymology

From Middle English behinde, behinden, from Old English behindan (“on the back side of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bihindan, *bihindini (“on the back side of, in the rear of, behind”), from Proto-West Germanic *bi- + *hindō (“the hind side, back part”), equivalent to be- + hind. Compare Old Saxon bihindan (“behind”, adverb), Middle High German behinter (“behind; back”).