backlash

/ˈbækˌlæʃ/

//ˈbækˌlæʃ// noun

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

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

The verdict

“backlash” has 13 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #11,839. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#11,839
frequency rank, English
4,121
“B” headwords
13
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed September 3, 2026) - A suddenly reversed or backward motion, such as of a rope or elastic band when it snaps under tension.

Corpus desk

Index EN-backlash · backlash · English

backlash · rank #11,839 · 13 variants · 0 confusables

  • FREQ-MID #11,839
  • LEN-LONG 8 letters
  • VOW-2 2 vowels
  • CONFUS-0 No pairs
  • VAR-HIGH 13 variants
  • BOOK-MID 4,121
  • PHOTO-FINISH Audi

Nearest frequency peer: Audi (-1 rank slots)

Read with this headword: Spelling guide for this pattern

Desk codes from Wiktionary headword shape, FrequencyWords rank tier, confusable-pair count, generated misspelling depth, letter-cohort book size, and photo-finish peer. Not a difficulty grade.

Rank peers near misspelling magnet “backlash”

Same rarity band: useful when a typo lands on a peer headword

corpus weight

What this shows “backlash” sits among these FrequencyWords peers; misspelling depth is tracked separately in the edit-distance chart.

Source FrequencyWords open word-frequency list As of September 3, 2026
Key facts for backlash
PropertyValue
Headwordbacklash
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈbækˌlæʃ/
Letters8
Frequency rank#11,839
Misspellings tracked13
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Frequency seat of misspelling magnet “backlash”

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

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

Ticks step logarithmically, so each one marks a roughly tenfold drop in how often the word turns up. Same rarity band neighbours include “Audi” (#11,838), “balloons” (#11,840), “Aston” (#11,837). Among 4,121 “B” headwords, “backlash” is #11,839. Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list.

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 13 spelling variants around backlash (IPA /ˈbækˌlæʃ/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #11,839 among 4,121 “B” headwords. Wiktionary lists 4 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 13 likely wrong-spelling variants for backlash, with forms such as "abcklash", "baccklash", and "backalsh". Every one of these variants traces to a single-character edit -- an added or dropped letter, a swapped consonant, or a vowel swap -- the kind of slip a spell-checker is built to catch. This headword has no recorded confusable partner, which usually means its spelling is distinct enough that readers don't reach for a similar-looking word instead.

Etymologically, the entry records: From back- + lash. The correct English form is backlash, spelled B-A-C-K-L-A-S-H.

Definition

  1. 1
    A suddenly reversed or backward motion, such as of a rope or elastic band when it snaps under tension.
  2. 2
    A negative reaction, objection or outcry, especially of a violent or abrupt nature.
  3. 3
    The looseness through which one part of connected machinery, such as a wheel, gear, piston, or screw, can be moved without moving the connected parts, or a measurement of the distance moved thereby; either intentional (as allowance) or unintentional (from error or wear).
  4. 4
    The jarring or reflex motion caused in badly fitting machinery by irregularities in velocity or a reverse of motion.

Recorded use

Wiktionary examples

These source excerpts show how backlash appears in context. They illustrate usage; the definition above remains the entry’s reference meaning.

  1. The public backlash to the proposal was quick and insistent.
  2. ... the word "backlash" is used in the extended sense in which it is understood in Lancashire and Yorkshire , including not only backlash proper , but also break of contact between the working faces of the teeth of the two wheels when the driven wheel overruns the driver without actual backlash . To place rope or belt drums of any considerable size upon s…

Etymology

From back- + lash.

This word in other languages

reacción(Español)retour de bâton(Français)zurückspringen(Deutsch)coice(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • abcklash
  • baccklash
  • backalsh
  • backklash
  • backlahs
  • backlashh
  • backlassh
  • backllash
  • backlsah
  • baclkash
  • bakclash
  • bbacklash
  • bcaklash

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of backlash - measured in single-character edits (insert, delete, or substitute a letter). Larger bars are easier to catch; one-edit slips are the sneakiest.

abcklash2baccklash1backalsh2backklash1backlahs2backlashh1backlassh1backllash1
Edit distance from "backlash"

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 "backlash"?
"backlash" is spelled B-A-C-K-L-A-S-H. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈbækˌlæʃ/.
What does "backlash" mean?
As a noun, "backlash" means: A suddenly reversed or backward motion, such as of a rope or elastic band when it snaps under tension.
What are common misspellings of "backlash"?
Common misspellings include "abcklash", "baccklash", "backalsh", "backklash", "backlahs". The correct spelling is "backlash".
How do you pronounce "backlash"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "backlash" is /ˈbækˌlæʃ/. 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 "backlash"?
From back- + lash. 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.

Similar English words by spelling shape

Same letter count and similar misspelling depth for "backlash", not the corpus desk frequency band.

Same letter count

Frequency-ranked English headwords with 8 letters (nearest by frequency rank).

balloons#11,840assassin#11,835casually#11,848Courtney#11,856

Similar misspelling depth

Headwords with a similar count of attested misspellings (13 here; floor ≥5).

advertise13 variantscollateral13 variantsconquered13 variantstransmit13 variants

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

Source: FrequencyWords open word-frequency list