backlog
/ˈbæk(ˌ)lɔɡ/noun, verb
backlog is spelled B-A-C-K-L-O-G: 7 letters and 2 syllables. It appears 1.6 times per million words in written English, the 22,073rd most frequent word form (wordfreq, 2021 data). As a noun, backlog means “A large log to burn at the back of a fire” (English Wiktionary, September 2026). The plural of backlog is backlogs.
How many letters and syllables are in backlog?
| Letters | 7: B-A-C-K-L-O-G |
|---|---|
| Syllables | 2 (from its American pronunciation) |
| In writing | 1.6 times per million words; the 22,073rd most frequent word form |
| Wrong spellings searched | none measured in search |
Sources: letters and syllables from the English Wiktionary's hyphenation or pronunciation and the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary; written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How common is backlog?
Backlog appears 1.6 times per million words in written English, the 22,073rd most frequent word form in the list.
Source: written frequency: wordfreq 3.1 (a 2021 snapshot of Wikipedia, subtitles, news, books, web text and social media).
How do you pronounce backlog?
- US /ˈbæk(ˌ)lɔɡ/
- /ˈbæk(ˌ)lɑɡ/
- British /ˈbak(ˌ)lɔɡ/
Backlog has 2 syllables (counted from its American pronunciation in the CMU Pronouncing Dictionary).
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Recordings: LL-Q1860_(eng)-Vealhurl-backlog.wav, Wikimedia Commons (author and licence on each file's page).
Forms of backlog
- backlogs plural, present, singular, he/she/it
- backlogging participle, present
- backlogged participle, past
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
What does backlog mean?
The meanings the English Wiktionary records, quoted as written there (source below).
noun
- 1
A large log to burn at the back of a fire.
- 2
A reserve source or supply.
- 3
An accumulation or buildup, especially of unfilled orders, unconsumed products or unfinished work.
He went to work on Saturday to try to work through the backlog of papers on his desk.
- 4
A log containing text previously read, as in text-based video games or chat rooms.
verb
- 1
To acquire something as a backlog, or to become a backlog
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).
Backlog in Spanish, French, German and Portuguese
| Language | Words |
|---|---|
| French | arriéré |
| German | Arbeitsrückstand, Auftragsüberhang, Nachholbedarf, Rückstand, Rückstau, Überhang |
| Portuguese | acúmulo , reserva |
| Spanish | acúmulo, pila, montón, trabajo atrasado, pendientes, acumulación |
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract). Translations are Wiktionary's, by sense; a linked word has its own PlainSpell page.
Where does backlog come from?
From back + log. 1680s; originally a large log at the back of a fire. Figurative sense from 1880s, meaning "something stored up for later use". Possibly influenced by logbook as well.
Source: English Wiktionary, dump of September 2, 2026 (CC BY-SA 4.0), through kaikki.org (Wiktextract).