# back

> English word · Adjective · IPA /bæk/ · frequency rank #93

## Definitions
1. At or near the rear.
2. Returned or restored to a previous place or condition.
3. Not current.
4. Situated away from the main or most frequented areas.
5. In arrears; overdue.
6. Moving or operating backward.
7. Pronounced with the highest part of the body of the tongue toward the back of the mouth, near the soft palate (most often describing a vowel).

## Etymology
Etymology tree
Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg-der.?
Proto-Germanic *baką
Proto-West Germanic *bak
Old English bæc
Middle English bak
English back
From Middle English bak, from Old English bæc, from Proto-West Germanic *bak, from Proto-Germanic *baką, possibly from Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg- (“to bend”). The adverb represents an aphetic form of aback.
Compare Middle Low German bak (“back”), from Old Saxon bak, and West Frisian bekling (“chair back”), Old High German bah, Swedish and Norwegian bak. Cognate with German Bache (“sow [adult female hog]”).

## Easily confused with
- **BC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bc)
- **bad** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bad)
- **bar** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bar)
- **bag** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bag)
- **bay** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bay)
- **BBC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bbc)
- **ban** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-ban)
- **bat** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bat)
- **bam** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bam)
- **BAE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bae)
- **BTC** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-btc)
- **BCS** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bcs)
- **Bas** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bas)
- **bai** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bai)
- **bal** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bal)
- **bao** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bao)
- **bah** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bah)
- **BCE** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bce)
- **bok** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bok)
- **bak** (https://plainspell.com/en/vs/back-vs-bak)

## Common misspellings (6)
`abck`, `bacck`, `backk`, `bakc`, `bback`, `bcak`

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/back