English dictionary

backslide Meaning & Definition

Q: What is the plural of backslide?

The plural of backslide is backslides.

Q: What is the past tense of backslide?

The past tense of backslide is backslid and the past participle is backslidden. The present participle is backsliding.

What Does Backslide Mean?

As a verb, backslide means To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state. It can also mean To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments. As a noun, it means A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state. As a noun, it means A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards; later popularly called the moonwalk.

Backslide in Brief

Part of speech	verb, noun
Synonyms	lapse
Plural	backslides
Verb forms	backslides, backsliding, backslid, backslidden

Backslide Definition (Verb)

To regress; to slip backwards or revert to a previous, worse state.
He felt better for a little while, before his condition started to backslide.
To shirk responsibility; to renege on one's obligations or commitments.
To revert back into a life of sin after being saved.

Backslide as a Noun

A backward regression; a reverting back to a worse state.
A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards.

Noun

A dance move in which the feet are alternately slid back and the heels lifted, giving the illusion of walking forwards while actually moving backwards; later popularly called the moonwalk.

Synonyms of Backslide

lapse

Backslide synonyms and antonyms →

Backslide in a Sentence

He felt better for a little while, before his condition started to backslide.

Rich countries are backsliding on their commitment to agree to new WTO measures to help people in poor countries gain access to affordable medicines. — Oxfam press release, 24 June 2002

Word Forms & Grammar

backslide (third-person singular simple present backslides, present participle backsliding, simple past backslid or backslided, past participle backslidden or backslid or backslided)

backslide (plural backslides)

Words That Rhyme With Backslide

Origin of Backslide

From back +‎ slide.

Questions People Ask About Backslide

Is backslide a verb or a noun?

Backslide is mainly used as a verb, but it can also be used as a noun.

What is another word for backslide?

Words with a similar meaning to backslide include lapse. See the full list of backslide synonyms and antonyms.

What is the plural of backslide?

The plural of backslide is backslides.

What is the past tense of backslide?

The past tense of backslide is backslid and the past participle is backslidden. The present participle is backsliding.