backhand

[ bak-hand ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

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.
(in tennis, squash, etc.) a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.
handwriting that slopes toward the left.

adjective

backhanded.
(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

with the back of the hand:
He hit him backhand across the face.
from across the body; backhanded:
She returned the ball backhand on the first serve.

verb (used with object)

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

backhand

/ ˈ��æ��ˌ��æ�Ի� /

noun

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
the side on which backhand strokes are made
handwriting slanting to the left

adverb

with a backhand stroke

verb

sport to play (a shot) backhand

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Word 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.

The Briton broke first in the second set, a nicely angled backhand forcing the error from Lamens, but she immediately surrendered the break with a wayward service game.

From

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

back hack backhanded

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