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Back: meaning, definitions and examples

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[ bæk ]

Noun / Verb
Oxford 3000
Context #1 | Noun

physical location

the rear surface of the body from the shoulders to the hips

Synonyms

hind, posterior, rear.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
back

General term for the part of the body opposite to the front, or the rear part of something.

  • She has a tattoo on her back
  • Check the back of the book for the index
rear

Often used to describe the back part of an object or place, and also used in military contexts.

  • She parked the car at the rear of the building
  • Soldiers were guarding the rear entrance
posterior

A formal or medical term referring to the back side of the body or an organism.

  • The injury is located on the posterior side of the thigh
  • During the surgery, the doctors focused on the posterior part of the spine
hind

Usually used to refer to the back part of an animal, especially the legs.

  • The horse injured its hind leg
  • The cat swished its hind paws

Examples of usage

  • She was carrying a backpack on her back.
  • He had a tattoo on his back.
Context #2 | Noun

support

the part of a chair that a person's back rests against

Synonyms

rest, support.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
back

Describes moving in the opposite direction, often used in driving or spatial contexts.

  • Can you please back the car into the driveway? He stepped back to get a better view
support

Indicates providing assistance or help, often used in emotional, financial, or logistical contexts.

  • She needs your support during this difficult time
  • We offer financial support to the new startups
rest

Means to relax or take a break, often used when talking about relaxation or recovery.

  • You should get some rest if you're feeling tired
  • I need to rest after a long day at work

Examples of usage

  • The chair had a comfortable back.
  • She leaned back in her chair.
Context #3 | Verb

return

to go in the opposite direction to a previous one

Synonyms

retract, retreat, reverse.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

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Word Description / Examples
back

Use 'back' when you want to describe someone moving backward or returning to a previous position or state. It can also be used metaphorically in situations like supporting someone.

  • She decided to back out of the project
  • He backed the car into the garage

Examples of usage

  • He decided to back out of the deal.
  • She backed away from the argument.

Translations

Translations of the word "back" in other languages:

🇵🇹 costas

🇮🇳 पीठ

🇩🇪 Rücken

🇮🇩 punggung

🇺🇦 спина

🇵🇱 plecy

🇯🇵 背中 (せなか)

🇫🇷 dos

🇪🇸 espalda

🇹🇷 sırt

🇰🇷 등

🇸🇦 ظهر

🇨🇿 záda

🇸🇰 chrbát

🇨🇳 背部 (bèibù)

🇸🇮 hrbet

🇮🇸 bak

🇰🇿 арқа

🇬🇪 ზურგი

🇦🇿 bel

🇲🇽 espalda

Etymology

The word 'back' can be traced back to Old English 'bæc', which is related to Old Frisian 'bek', Middle Dutch 'bak', and Old High German 'bah'. It has been used in English for centuries to refer to the rear part of something or to indicate a return to a previous position or condition.

See also: backbone, backchat, backdrop, backed, backer, backers, backhander, backing, backline, backmarker, backpack, backroom, backside, backspace, backstop, backup, backward, backwards, backyard, unbacked.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #112, this word is extremely common in English. It's a crucial part of basic vocabulary that's used constantly in both spoken and written communication, making it essential for even basic conversations.