backstroke

/ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/

//ˈbækˌstɹoʊk// noun

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

"backstroke" is a 10-letter English headword indexed on PlainSpell.

The verdict

“backstroke” has 16 generated spelling variants in the English index at frequency #44,073. The variants make it a useful spelling check.

#44,073
frequency rank, English
31,241
“B” headwords
16
tracked misspellings

According to Wiktionary data (CC BY-SA, analyzed May 6, 2026) - A backhanded stroke or blow.

Key facts for backstroke
PropertyValue
Headwordbackstroke
LanguageEnglish
Part of speechNoun
IPA/ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/
Letters10
Frequency rank#44,073
Misspellings tracked16
Confusable pairs0
SourceWiktionary (kaikki.org)

Where “backstroke” 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). backstroke lands here:

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

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

A misspelling magnet

The generator records 16 spelling variants around backstroke (IPA /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/), anoun. Corpus frequency is #44,073 among 31,241 “B” headwords. Wiktionary lists 3 senses, so context still picks the gloss.

Our generated misspelling index lists 16 likely wrong-spelling variants for backstroke, with forms such as "abckstroke", "bacckstroke", and "backkstroke". Each of these forms differs from the correct spelling by one small edit: a doubled letter, a dropped silent letter, or a substituted vowel. No confusable counterpart is on file for this word, since its spelling is unusual enough that it doesn't cluster with a lookalike.

Etymologically, the entry records: From back + stroke. The correct English form is backstroke, spelled B-A-C-K-S-T-R-O-K-E.

Definition

  1. 1
    A backhanded stroke or blow.
  2. 2
    A stroke swum lying on one's back, while rotating both arms through the water as to propel the swimmer backwards.
  3. 3
    The pull on the tail of the rope that swings the bell through a full circle (compare handstroke)

Etymology

From back + stroke.

Synonyms

back crawl

This word in other languages

dorso(Español)dos crawlé(Français)Rückenschwimmen(Deutsch)costas(Português)

Common misspellings

Also misspelled as:

  • abckstroke
  • bacckstroke
  • backkstroke
  • backsrtoke
  • backsstroke
  • backstorke
  • backstrkoe
  • backstroek
  • backstrokke
  • backstrroke
  • backsttroke
  • backtsroke
  • bacsktroke
  • bakcstroke
  • bbackstroke
  • bcakstroke

Misspelling Pattern Breakdown

How far each generated variant is from the correct spelling of backstroke - counted as single-character edits (an insertion, a deletion, or a substituted letter). The larger the bar, the easier the typo is to spot; one-edit slips are the ones that sneak past readers.

abckstroke2bacckstroke1backkstroke1backsrtoke2backsstroke1backstorke2backstrkoe2backstroek2
Edit distance from "backstroke"

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 "backstroke"?
"backstroke" is spelled B-A-C-K-S-T-R-O-K-E. The IPA pronunciation is /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/.
What does "backstroke" mean?
As a noun, "backstroke" means: A backhanded stroke or blow.
What are common misspellings of "backstroke"?
Common misspellings include "abckstroke", "bacckstroke", "backkstroke", "backsrtoke", "backsstroke". The correct spelling is "backstroke".
How do you pronounce "backstroke"?
The IPA (International Phonetic Alphabet) transcription for "backstroke" is /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/. 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 "backstroke"?
From back + stroke. 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 “backstroke”

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

  • The one correct English spelling is B-A-C-K-S-T-R-O-K-E - every other letter order is a misspelling in standard orthography.
  • Say it as /ˈbækˌstɹoʊk/ (IPA); tap the speaker on the pronunciation badge to hear it where audio exists.
  • Browse more English words and confusable pairs in the same reference. English words

Same frequency band

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