Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

backwash

/ˈbæk.wɑʃ/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: 2.12 in modern English

Syllables: back-wash
IPA: /ˈbæk.wɑʃ/

22

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

7

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A backward flow of water, as from oars, a propeller, breaking waves, etc.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The similar flow of air from an aircraft engine.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The result or consequence of an event; an aftermath.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The saliva, spit or food particles that have flowed back into a drink after someone has drunk from it.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

The situation where economic growth in one area harms other areas by attracting people and business away from those areas.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

An obscure place; a backwater.

Countable; Uncountable

noun

Synonym of washback.

Countable; Uncountable

verb

To operate a water filter in the reverse direction in order to clean it.

Example Sentences

"I looked back to a ferry passing the Statue of Liberty now, its backwash a curving line upon the bay."
"They pitched the dragon over the cliff-top, let tide's flow and backwash take the treasure-minder."
""Reasonable expenses, Nickle. You can't spend much in a backwash like this Tapsfield.""

Etymology

From back + wash.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbæk.wɑʃ/
British English: /ˈbæk.wɒʃ/

Usage

Inflected Forms

backwashes (plural) backwashes (present, singular) backwashing (participle, present) backwashed (participle, past) backwashed (past)

Phrases

backwash ileitis

Synonyms

washback wake aftermath slipstream airstream race wash

Rhymes With

blackwash

Questions

How do you pronounce backwash?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbæk.wɑʃ/.
What does backwash mean?: A backward flow of water, as from oars, a propeller, breaking waves, etc.
Where does backwash come from?: From back + wash.

How to pronounce backwash

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