Word
backed
US/ˈbækt/
UK/bˈækt/
Definitions
01supported or helped
B1 · Intermediate
v. gave support, money, or help to someone or something.
v. provided financial, moral, or political support to a person, organization, or project.
“The new business was backed by several local investors who believed in the idea.”
“The proposed legislation was backed by a broad coalition of environmental groups and urban planners.”
Usage
Often used in the passive voice with 'by'.
02moved backwards
B1 · Intermediate
v. moved a vehicle or yourself backwards.
v. moved in a reverse direction, especially when operating a vehicle.
“He backed the car into the garage very carefully.”
“The driver backed the lorry into the narrow loading bay without hitting any of the surrounding equipment.”
Usage
Commonly used with directional adverbs like 'into', 'out', or 'away'.
03having a specific back
B2 · Upper Intermediate
adj. having a certain kind of back or support, usually used with another word.
adj. possessing a specified type of back or backing; almost exclusively used in compound adjectives.
“We bought some high-backed chairs for the dining room table.”
“The gallery was filled with gold-backed mirrors that reflected the light from the chandeliers.”
Usage
Typically appears as the second part of a hyphenated compound adjective.
Real-World Examples
“He's backed by Pinkfong, the South Korean kids entertainment company that made Baby Shark - but will they find success again?” “What Moen wants to give him, and the millions like him, is permission, backed by science, to stop fighting the body's signal and work with it instead.” Etymology
From back (verb).
From back (noun) + -ed.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Common
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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