English Reference
Noun

backwoods

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced US /ˈbæˈkwʊdz/ UK /bˈækwʊdz/ back·woods

n.a remote area of the countryside that is far from cities and roads. It is often used to describe places that are quiet, wild, or not very developed.

n.a remote, rural, or undeveloped area of the countryside. Often carries a connotation of isolation or lack of modern infrastructure.


SIMPLE

The hikers spent the night in the backwoods.

CONTEXTUAL

The family moved to the backwoods to escape the noise and pollution of the city.

COMPLEX

While the coastal towns were bustling with tourists, the backwoods remained a sanctuary for those seeking solitude and a connection to the natural landscape.

He’d tasted stardom, played arenas and didn’t like it – he liked the funky, backwoods places.

The Guardian· 17 Aug 2026

Four Kolkata bachelors drive into the backwoods of Bihar only to realise that there is more than one way to get lost.

The Guardian· 20 Aug 2026

From back + woods.

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

This entry
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Occasional
Updated