# backstreet

/ˈbækˌstit/ (US) · /bˈækstɹiːt/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/backstreet
Updated: 2026-05-27

## Definition

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.

For teachers: 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.

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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.