English Explanatory Dictionary

backpedal

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To pedal backwards on a bicycle.
  2. To step backwards.
  3. To distance oneself from an earlier claim or statement; back off from an idea.
noun
  1. An act of backpedalling (in any sense).

Pronunciation

/ˈbækˌpɛdəɫ/ en-us-backpedal.ogg en-au-backpedal.ogg

Word forms

backpedal backpedals backpedaling backpedalling backpedaled backpedalled back-pedal backpeddle

Etymology

From back + pedal.

Synonyms

climb down walk back backtrack

Derived words

backpedal brake backpedaler backpedaller
This entry uses open data from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA/GFDL). Word forms are used for search and are not indexed as separate pages.
Back to search All on B Russian dictionary Dahl dictionary