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to backhand

to backhand

4 3.2
To hit a ball with the back of the hand facing it
  • verb
  • /ˈbækˌhænd/
translation icon : golpear de revés
  • In tennis practice, he focused on learning how to properly backhand the ball.
  • ready to backhand

Examples

  • On the other hand, he has to backhand the catch because he's a lefty.

    Blog text (20)
  • Backhanded by Chapel, throws to first.

  • I lightly backhanded it and told her to suck her gut in.

    Fiction book (1998)
  • He skillfully backhands the ball over the net, surprising his opponent.

  • During the match, she learned to backhand the tennis ball with precision.

Synonyms

to stroke
vsto backhand
9 3.5

To hit a ball with a smooth, controlled movement in sports

is a specific hit using the racket's opposite side

Compounds

A stroke in tennis or similar racket sports made with the back of the hand facing the ball

A backhand shot you make while holding the racket with both hands

A hard straight shot hit with the racket across the body in tennis

A hit in tennis or table tennis when the back of the hand faces the ball

How Difficult

tweener
  • Jargon
9.4
passing shot
  • Specialized
1 4.6
lob
10 4.4
to volley
  • Specialized
1 4.2
to backhand
4 3.2
forehand
3.3

Surface Forms

backhand infinitive
backhanded past
backhanded past participle
backhanding present participle
backhands third person singular

Etymology

Backhand as a verb comes from back and hand and means 'to hit with a backhand', because you strike the ball using the back side of your hand. So to backhand the ball is to make that specific kind of hit.