Speakur

Word Pronunciation & Dictionary

switchback

/ˈswɪt͡ʃˌbæk/

Word Rarity Very rare

Frequency: Zipf frequency 2.17 in modern English

Syllables
switch-back
IPA
/ˈswɪt͡ʃˌbæk/
26
Scrabble Score
10
Letters
2
Syllables
9
Unique Chars

Meaning

noun

A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.

noun

A railway track on which there are steep ascents and descents, a train moving partially or fully by the force of gravity using the momentum generated when descending to travel up an ascending part of the track; especially (UK, dated), such a track built for fun rides at an amusement park; a type of rollercoaster.

noun

A flight path consisting of a series of steep ascents and descents, generally flown as a stunt.

noun

A path or road having a series of steep ascents and descents.

British usage

noun

A sharp bend in a path or road which causes a traveller to almost reverse their direction of travel, especially one of a series of such bends on an incline; a hairpin bend; also a path or road having such a series of bends.

Canadian usage; American usage

verb

To take a zigzag course or path.

Intransitive verb

Example Sentences

Etymology

The noun is derived from switch (“to turn (a train) from one railway track to another using a switch”, verb) + back (“so as to reverse direction and return”, adverb). The verb is derived from the noun.

Regional Pronunciation

  • American English: /ˈswɪt͡ʃˌbæk/
  • British English: /ˈswɪt͡ʃbæk/

Usage

Inflected Forms

switchbacks (plural) switchbacks (present, singular) switchbacking (participle, present) switchbacked (participle, past) switchbacked (past)

Derived Forms

switchbacky switchbacked switchbacking

Frequently Paired Words

dogleg horseshoe curve

Synonyms

zigzag

Questions

How do you pronounce switchback?
The recorded pronunciation is /ˈswɪt͡ʃˌbæk/.
What does switchback mean?
A railway track on a steep slope in a zigzag formation, in which a train travels in a reverse direction at each switch.
Where does switchback come from?
The noun is derived from switch (“to turn (a train) from one railway track to another using a switch”, verb) + back (“so as to reverse direction and return”, adverb). The verb is derived from the noun.

How to pronounce switchback

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