backhander

UK: /ˈbækhændə^r/ US: (bak′han′dər)

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•hand•er  (bak′han′dər), n. 

1. a backhanded slap, punch, stroke, or play.
2. British Terms
   • a drink served out of turn to a guest as a bottle or decanter is passed around the table during dessert.
   • a bribe.

• backhand + -er¹ 1795–1805

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

backhander / ˈbækˌhændə/ noun

1. a backhanded stroke or blow
2. an indirect attack
3. a bribe

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•hand /ˈbækˌhænd/  n. [countable]

1. a stroke, as with a racket, made with the back of the hand turned forward.
2. [usually singular] handwriting that slopes toward the left:
   I recognized her backhand on the envelope.

adj. [before a noun]

3. backhanded.

adv. 

4. in a backhanded way.

v. [ ~ + obj]

5. to strike with a backhand.

back•hand•er, n. [count]

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•hand  (bak′hand′), n. 

1. a stroke, slap, etc., made with the palm of the hand turned toward the body and the back of the hand turned in the direction of the stroke, slap, etc.
2. Sport (in tennis, squash, etc.) a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc.
3. handwriting that slopes toward the left.

adj. 

4. backhanded.
5. Sport (in tennis, squash, etc.) of, pertaining to, or noting a stroke made from the side of the body opposite to that of the hand holding the racket, paddle, etc. Cf. forehand (def. 1).

adv. 

6. with the back of the hand:
   He hit him backhand across the face.
7. from across the body;
   backhanded:
   She returned the ball backhand on the first serve.

v.t. 

8. to strike with the back of the hand.
9. to hit, produce, or accomplish with a backhand.
10. to catch (a ball or the like) backhanded.

• back² + hand 1650–60