aback

CEFRC2

/əˈbæk/

adverb

Türkçe translations

Translating…

In plain English

  1. 01

    adverb

    Suddenly surprised or shocked by something unexpected.

  2. 02

    adverb

    Extra detail

    By surprise; startled; dumbfounded. (see usage)

Examples

  • I was taken aback at the answer.

  • I was taken aback at the shadow.

At a glance

Sits at C2 on the CEFR scale

Senses
5
Parts of speech
1
Citations
5
Synonyms
1

Also pronounced

  • /aˈbak/

Deep Dive

adverb

Extra meanings

  1. In the rear; a distance behind.

  2. Towards the back or rear; backwards.

  3. Backward against the mast; said of the sails when pressed by the wind from the "wrong" (forward) side, or of a ship when its sails are set that way.

More examples

In context

  • Walter was taken aback by John's cruel insult.

  • Then stopped, and bounded aback, and away as if in fear, / That I saw her no more; then I wondered though sitting close anear / Was a she-wolf great and grisly.

  • As the anchor fetches her up, she will swing head to wind, bringing the head sails aback.

Synonyms

Quick test

Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.

Question 1 · Quick check

The unexpected criticism from the boss left the entire team completely taken blank.

Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.

Nearby

Origin

adverb

From Middle English abak, from Old English onbæc, equivalent to a- (“towards”) + back. Compare West Frisian tebek (“aback”, adverb, literally “to/at back”), Swedish tillbaka (idem.).