Standard Lemma guide

behindhand

adj · adv · 10 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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1

adj

Meaning 1

Late, tardy, overdue, behind (in accomplishing a task, etc.).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

adj

Meaning 2

Not at the expected point of completion.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

adj

Meaning 3

Behind (someone or something moving, a trend, etc.), lagging behind, not keeping up.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

adj

Meaning 4

Behind in paying a debt; in arrears.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

5

adj

Meaning 5

Not having enough of, lacking (in something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

Examples

  • 1777, Samuel Johnson, Letter to James Boswell dated 25 November, 1777, cited in James Boswell, The Life of Samuel Johnson, London: Charles Dilly, 1791, Volume 2, p. 178, [...] I have had for some time a very difficult and laborious respiration, but I am better by purges, abstinence, and other methods. I am yet however much behind-hand in my health and rest.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

6

adj

Meaning 6

Inferior, less advanced (compared with someone in something).

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: dated

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

7

adv

Meaning 7

Belatedly, tardily.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

8

adv

Meaning 8

In debt, or in arrears.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: archaic

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

9

adjective satellite

Meaning 9

behind schedule

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • was behindhand with the rent

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

10

adverb

Meaning 10

in debt

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • he fell behind with his mortgage payments
  • a month behind in the rent
  • a company that has been run behindhand for years
  • in arrears with their utility bills

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: behind, in arrears

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From behind + hand.