Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

backstroke

/ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/

Word Rarity Rare

Frequency: 2.65 in modern English

Syllables: back-stroke
IPA: /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/

22

Scrabble Score

10

Letters

2

Syllables

9

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A backhanded stroke or blow.

noun

A stroke swum lying on one's back, while rotating both arms through the water as to propel the swimmer backwards.

noun

The pull on the tail of the rope that swings the bell through a full circle.

verb

To hit with a backstroke.

Transitive verb

verb

To swim the backstroke.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

"He observed that Cid Ruy-dias was an excellent knight; but not equal to the Lord of the Flaming-sword, who with one back-stroke [translating revés] had cut two fierce and monstrous giants through the middle."
"Near-synonym: back crawl"

Etymology

From back + stroke.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/

Usage

Inflected Forms

backstrokes (plural) backstrokes (present, singular) backstroking (participle, present) backstroked (participle, past) backstroked (past)

Derived Forms

backstroker

Phrases

front crawl

Frequently Paired Words

backslash backtick breaststroke sidestroke butterfly stroke handstroke freestyle front crawl

Synonyms

back crawl

Questions

How do you pronounce backstroke?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/.
What does backstroke mean?: A backhanded stroke or blow.
Where does backstroke come from?: From back + stroke.

How to pronounce backstroke

Open the pronunciation page — Open the Speakur entry for “backstroke”.
Read the phonetic spelling — Read the IPA spelling (/ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/) so you know which sounds to aim for.
Play the audio — Click Play to hear reference audio for “backstroke”.
Repeat and practice — Say “backstroke” aloud, matching stress and vowels until it feels natural.