How to Pronounce Backs

To pronounce "backs", say BACKS — one syllable, IPA /bæks/. Tap play below to hear it in four English accents, or practice it syllable by syllable.

backs

Tap to hear · American accent

Accent

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Speed

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Syllable

Letters

/bæks/

IPA

"backs" is a single-syllable word — say it in one clean beat. It rhymes with relax and parallax, if that helps it stick.

Sounds exactly like: backes, bax — easy to mix up when writing.

noun

The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.
“Could you please scratch my back?”
That which is farthest away from the front.
“He sat in the back of the room.”

verb

To go in the reverse direction.
“the train backed into the station; the horse refuses to back”
To support.
“I back you all the way; which horse are you backing in this race?”

noun

A large shallow vat; a cistern, tub, or trough, used by brewers, distillers, dyers, picklers, gluemakers, and others, for mixing or cooling wort, holding water, hot glue, etc.
A ferryboat.

Practicing rhymes trains the same ending sounds.

How many syllables are in "backs"?▾

"Backs" has one syllable.

What is the IPA transcription of "backs"?▾

The IPA transcription of "backs" is /bæks/.

What does "backs" mean?▾

Backs: The rear of the body, especially the part between the neck and the end of the spine and opposite the chest and belly.

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