ENGLISH
REFERENCE

backwater

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈbæˌkwɔtɝ// UK //bˈækwɔːtɐ// back·wa·ter

n. a place that is very quiet, isolated, and far away from the main activity or excitement. It is often used to describe a small town or a part of a river that is not busy.

n. a remote, isolated, or unimportant place, often used to describe a small town or a stagnant part of a river. It implies a lack of modern development or commercial activity.


SIMPLE

The small village is a quiet backwater far from the city.

CONTEXTUAL

The old factory was turned into a community center, transforming the industrial backwater into a vibrant cultural hub.

COMPLEX

While the coastal metropolis thrives on tourism and trade, the interior remains a forgotten backwater where traditional customs persist despite the passage of time.

Origin

From back + water.

Idioms1 entry

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