back water
noun, verb
back water is a noun meaning “Alternative spelling of backwater” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). It is spelled B-A-C-K-W-A-T-E-R. The plural of back water is back waters or back-waters.
What does back water mean?
noun
- 1
Alternative spelling of backwater.
verb
- 1
To reverse the action of the oars, paddles, or propeller, so as to force the boat or ship backward.
noun
- 1
Alternative form of backwater: the water held back by a dam or other obstruction
- 2
Alternative form of backwater: water used in the papermaking process. Recycled to reduce usage of fresh water, and usually containing residual amounts of chemicals and fibres.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Forms of back water
- back waters plural
- backs water present, singular, he/she/it
- backing water participle, present
- backed water participle, past
- back-waters plural
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Words people confuse with back water
Also written: backwater (one word or two).
Sources: English Wiktionary (homophones, alternative spellings).