Aback

/əˈbæk/

Meaning & Definition

adverb

Taken by surprise; startled.

I was taken aback by the unexpected news of her resignation.

Awkwardly positioned or placed.

The furniture was arranged aback, making it hard to move around the room.

Toward the back; backward.

He stepped aback to let the others pass.

From Middle English 'abacke', meaning 'backward'.

taken aback

Surprised or startled.

aback by something

Caught off guard by an event.

back

The opposite direction of forward.

take aback

To surprise or shock someone.

Caught off guard

That news really caught me aback.

Stunned

I was completely aback when I saw the surprise party.