Backwater: meaning, definitions and examples
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backwater
[ ˈbækˌwɔːtər ]
geographical area
Backwater refers to a body of water that is stagnant or flowing slowly, often formed where a river branches off or is blocked. It can also denote a remote or isolated place that lacks development or cultural relevance. The term can describe a quiet, underdeveloped area, conveying a sense of being cut off from modern influences.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The canoe glided quietly through the backwater.
- They decided to escape to a backwater village for the weekend.
- The backwater of the river was teeming with wildlife.
- She felt trapped in the backwater of her small town.
Translations
Translations of the word "backwater" in other languages:
🇵🇹 águas paradas
🇮🇳 नदी का पिछला भाग
🇩🇪 Stillgewässer
🇮🇩 air tenang
🇺🇦 задній водотік
🇵🇱 woda stojąca
🇯🇵 後水域
🇫🇷 eaux dormantes
🇪🇸 aguas estancadas
🇹🇷 durgun su
🇰🇷 고인 물
🇸🇦 مياه راكدة
🇨🇿 klidná voda
🇸🇰 stojatá voda
🇨🇳 滞水
🇸🇮 stagnantna voda
🇮🇸 stagnant vatn
🇰🇿 тұрып қалған су
🇬🇪 დარგული წყალი
🇦🇿 sakin su
🇲🇽 aguas estancadas
Word origin
The term 'backwater' originates from the combination of 'back', in the sense of behind or at the back, and 'water', referring to a body of water. The earliest use of the term can be traced back to the 17th century, where it appeared in literature to describe stagnant water off the main flow of a river. Over time, the meaning of the word expanded to encompass not only geographical features but also metaphorical references to areas or regions that lack cultural development or modernity. This reflects a broader societal commentary on regions that seem outdated or disconnected from contemporary trends.