Word
backwater
Phoneticsback·wa·ter, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈbæˌkwɔtɝ/
UK/bˈækwɔːtɐ/
Definition
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.
Examples
“The small village is a quiet backwater far from the city.”
“The old factory was turned into a community center, transforming the industrial backwater into a vibrant cultural hub.”
“While the coastal metropolis thrives on tourism and trade, the interior remains a forgotten backwater where traditional customs persist despite the passage of time.”
Examples
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.”
Real-World Examples
“But Anjouan is not some maverick backwater, wilfully flouting international law.” “Once the most glittering of pleasure quarters, today Shimabara has become a shabby backwater.” “Its development over the past three decades has turned it from a rural backwater – the “Sick Man of the Orient” – into the world’s second largest economy.” Etymology
From back + water.
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.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL 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: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C1 · Advanced
- Updated
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