noun
backhand
BAK-hand
noun
1
In tennis and similar sports, a stroke played across the body with the back of the hand facing the direction of the shot.
"Her backhand is stronger than her forehand."
2
Handwriting that slants to the left.
"His backhand script made the letter oddly difficult to read."
verb
1
To hit something using a backhand stroke.
"He backhanded the return straight down the line."
How to Use Backhand
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA sports stroke hit with the back of the hand facing forward, or handwriting slanted to the left.
Common pairings
a strong backhand
hit a backhand
Word Forms
more backhand comparative, backhanded past tense, backhands plural, backhands singular, most backhand superlative
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Her _____ is stronger than her forehand.
Etymology
From back + hand.