Word
backstreet
Phoneticsback·street, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbækˌstit/
UK/bˈækstɹiːt/
Countable noun
Definition
n. a small, quiet street that is not in the main part of a town or city. These streets are often hidden behind the main roads and are less busy.
n. a narrow, quiet street that is not part of the main thoroughfare of a town or city. Often used to describe areas that are less commercial or more residential than the central district.
Examples
“We found a great little café on a quiet backstreet.”
“The main tourist attractions are all on the waterfront, but the best local restaurants are tucked away on a backstreet.”
“While the city's grand boulevards are lined with luxury boutiques, the narrow backstreet reveals a more authentic history of the neighborhood's industrial past.”
Examples
simple
“We found a great little café on a quiet backstreet.”
contextual
“The main tourist attractions are all on the waterfront, but the best local restaurants are tucked away on a backstreet.”
complex
“While the city's grand boulevards are lined with luxury boutiques, the narrow backstreet reveals a more authentic history of the neighborhood's industrial past.”
Real-World Examples
“O n a backstreet in the Nihonbashi district of Tokyo, between a seafood wholesaler and a jewellery shop, stands a simple monument.” “Among the most enticing discoveries hidden in these backstreets are Venice's bàcari - tiny neighbourhood bars that serve up some of the city's tastiest food and wine.” - 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
- Occasional
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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