backbone

/ˈbækˌbəʊn/

//ˈbækˌbəʊn// noun

By · According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA) ·

"backbone" is a 8-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“backbone” is a moderately-common English word, ranked #14,275 in English word frequency and used as a noun.

#14,275
frequency rank, English
8
letters
12
tracked misspellings
1
confusable pair

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.

Visual similarity to commonly confused words

How many letter changes separate each confused pair (Levenshtein distance, normalized).

backbone vs backline
75% similar

Source: PlainSpell confusable corpus (Wiktionary, CC BY-SA).

Key facts for backbone
PropertyValue
Headwordbackbone
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈbækˌbəʊn/
Letters8
Frequency rank#14,275
Misspellings tracked12
Confusable pairs1
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “backbone” sits in English frequency

Every-word frequency runs from the handful of words we use constantly (left) to the long tail used once in a blue moon (right). backbone lands here:

#1#100#1K#10K#100K
← used constantlyrarely used →

Scale is logarithmic (each tick is 10× rarer). Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

Spelling & Dictionary Insight

The English entry for backbone is 8 letters long, classified as a noun, and transcribed in the International Phonetic Alphabet as /ˈbækˌbəʊn/. Corpus data places it at rank #14,275 in overall English word frequency, marking it as uncommon enough that many writers pause before typing it. Wiktionary records 3 distinct senses for this headword, so context determines which meaning a reader should apply.

Our generated misspelling index lists 12 likely wrong-spelling variants for backbone, with forms such as "abckbone", "bacbkone", and "bacckbone". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. It also participates in 1 confusable-pair relationship, "backline", since the words sound or look close enough that writers reach for the wrong one mid-sentence.

Etymologically, the entry records: From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back + bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone. The correct English form is backbone, spelled B-A-C-K-B-O-N-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
  2. 2
    Any fundamental support, structure, or infrastructure.
  3. 3
    Courage, fortitude, or strength.

Etymology

From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back + bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone.

Synonyms

spinespinal columnvertebral columnbackbone

This word in other languages

columna vertebral(Español)colonne vertébrale(Français)Rückgrat(Deutsch)espinha(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as: abckbone,bacbkone,bacckbone,backbbone,backbnoe,backboen,backbonne,backkbone,backobne,bakcbone,bbackbone,bcakbone

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of backbone - expressed in single-character edits (insert, delete, or swap one letter). Bigger bars stand out at a glance; a one-edit slip is the hardest to catch.

abckbone2bacbkone2bacckbone1backbbone1backbnoe2backboen2backbonne1backkbone1
Edit distance from "backbone"

Definitions, pronunciation, and etymology for this entry are drawn from Wiktionary via the kaikki.org structured extract (CC BY-SA); frequency ordering uses the FrequencyWords open word-frequency list (2018 English corpus, MIT). See the methodology for how each field is sourced and updated.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you spell "backbone"?
"backbone" is spelled B-A-C-K-B-O-N-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈbækˌbəʊn/.
What does "backbone" mean?
As a noun, "backbone" means: The series of vertebrae, separated by disks, that encloses and protects the spinal cord, and runs down the middle of the back in vertebrate animals.
What words are commonly confused with "backbone"?
"backbone" is commonly confused with "backline". These words look or sound similar but have different meanings. PlainSpell provides detailed comparisons for each pair.
How do you pronounce "backbone"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "backbone" is /ˈbækˌbəʊn/. Click the speaker icon on the pronunciation badge above to hear it spoken aloud where audio is available.
What is the origin of the word "backbone"?
From Middle English bakbon, bakebon, bac-bon; equivalent to back + bone. Compare the semantically analogous English ridgebone. See the full etymology section above for more details.
Is PlainSpell free to use?
Yes, PlainSpell is a completely free word reference. You can look up definitions, pronunciations, confusable pairs, homophones, and spelling corrections across 5 languages without any sign-up or subscription.

Using “backbone”

The practical upshot for anyone who landed here from a spell-check.

  • The one correct English spelling is B-A-C-K-B-O-N-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈbækˌbəʊn/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Don't mix it up with “backline” - see the side-by-side comparison. backbone vs backline
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words
Data Source

Wiktionary (via kaikki.org), licensed under CC BY-SA & GFDL. Word ordering uses an open word-frequency list; misspelling variants are generated by edit-distance from the correct headword.

Source: Wiktionary (via kaikki.org) Structured Wiktionary extract

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list FrequencyWords open word-frequency list