Aback Definition

ə-băk
adverb
By surprise.
He was taken aback by her caustic remarks.
American Heritage
Backward; back.
Webster's New World
In such a way that the wind pushes against the forward side of a sail or sails.
American Heritage
Backward against the mast, as the sails of a square-rigged vessel in a wind from straight ahead.
Webster's New World
Back; backward.
American Heritage
Synonyms:
noun

(obsolete) An abacus.

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Aback

Noun

Singular:
aback
Plural:
abacks

Idioms, Phrasal Verbs Related to Aback

Origin of Aback

  • From Middle English abak, from Old English on (“at, on, or toward”) + bæc (“back”).

    From Wiktionary

  • a- (“towards”) +‎ back (“back”).

    From Wiktionary

  • From abacus.

    From Wiktionary

Aback Sentence Examples

  • He was taken aback momentarily, but he recovered swiftly.

  • Frederick appeared to be taken aback both by the story, and the speed at which Sarah relayed it.

  • Taken aback by his anger, she watched him run a hand through his hair in an unusual sign of agitation.

  • This zinger out of the blue took me aback.

  • You will be taken aback by the many different varieties of birds there are to choose from as a pet.

More Sentences

Find Similar Words

Find similar words to aback using the buttons below.

Words Starting With

AABABA

Words Ending With

KCKACK

Unscrambles

aback

Words Starting With A and Ending With K

Starts With A & Ends With KStarts With AB & Ends With KStarts With A & Ends With CK

Word Length

5 Letter Words5 Letter Words Starting With A5 Letter Words Ending With K