Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

backtalk

/ˈbæk.tɔk/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 1.61 in modern English

Syllables: back-talk
IPA: /ˈbæk.tɔk/

20

Scrabble Score

8

Letters

2

Syllables

6

Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

Verbal impudence or argumentative discourse, given in response.

Uncountable

verb

To respond to in an aggressively disputatious, often sarcastic or insolent manner.

Transitive verb

Example Sentences

"Don't give me any backtalk; just go clean your room."
"He scratched his head. "Well, damn me," said he. "I never thought I would take orders from a Chink, but he says 'hist!' and by crums you've got to hist and no back talk either.""
""Squalled at me that she owned the business and that she wouldn't take any back talk from me and that the piece wasn't for sale. What could I do?""
"Peter was sent to detention for backtalking the teacher."

Etymology

From back + talk.

Regional Pronunciation

American English: /ˈbæk.tɔk/
British English: /ˈbæk.tɔːk/

Usage

Inflected Forms

backtalks (present, singular) backtalking (participle, present) backtalked (participle, past) backtalked (past)

Derived Forms

backtalker

Phrases

talk back

Frequently Paired Words

backchat talkback talk back

Synonyms

backchat derision lip cheek sass rebuttal mouth off talk back

Questions

How do you pronounce backtalk?: The recorded pronunciation is /ˈbæk.tɔk/.
What does backtalk mean?: Verbal impudence or argumentative discourse, given in response.
Where does backtalk come from?: From back + talk.

How to pronounce backtalk

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