# backroad

CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/backroad
Updated: 2026-07-28

## Definition

a small, quiet road that does not have much traffic. These roads are usually in the countryside and are not the main way to get to a place.

For teachers: a minor or secondary road, typically located in a rural area and characterized by low traffic volume.

## Examples

- We took a quiet backroad to avoid the heavy highway traffic.
- The GPS led us off the main highway and onto a dusty backroad that wound through miles of cornfields.
- While the primary arteries were choked with holiday travelers, we navigated a network of winding backroads that offered both a faster arrival and a more scenic view of the valley.

## Usage notes

- Often used in the plural to describe a general network of minor routes.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.