Dictionary
backwater
noun back·wa·ter \-ˌwȯ-tər, -ˌwä-\
: a part of a river where the water moves slowly because it is away from the main part of the river
: a quiet place (such as a town or village) where there is little activity, excitement, progress, etc.
Full Definition of BACKWATER
1
a : water backed up in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide b : a body of water (as an inlet or tributary) that is out of the main current of a larger body
2
a : an isolated or backward place or condition b : an unpopular or unimportant field (as of study or business)
See backwater defined for English-language learners
See backwater defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
First Known Use of BACKWATER
1629
Related to BACKWATER
- Synonyms
- backcountry, backland(s), frontier, backwoods, bush, hinterland, outback, outlands, up-country
Rhymes with BACKWATER
bathwater, bilgewater, blackwater, blue-water, branch water, breakwater, Clearwater, cold-water, cutwater, dewater, deepwater, dishwater, firewater, first water, floodwater, freshwater, Goldwater, granddaughter, gray water, groundwater, headwater, high-water, hold water, hot water, ice water, jerkwater, limewater, low water, make water, manslaughter, meltwater, rainwater, red water, rosewater, saltwater, seawater, self-slaughter, shearwater, springwater, stepdaughter, still water, tailwater, tap water, tidewater, tread water, wastewater, white-water
Learn More About BACKWATER
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: backwearingPrevious Word in the Dictionary: backwashAll Words Near: backwater
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up backwater? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).