Word
outback
Phoneticsout·back, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈaʊtˌbæk/
UK/ˈaʊtbæk/
Uncountable noun
Definition
n. the large, dry, and empty land in Australia that is far away from cities. It is famous for its red dirt and wild animals.
n. the vast, remote, and sparsely populated interior regions of Australia. Usually used with the definite article.
Examples
“They spent three weeks driving through the outback.”
“Living in the outback requires careful planning because the nearest town might be hundreds of kilometers away.”
“The documentary explores how indigenous communities have thrived in the harsh conditions of the outback for millennia, maintaining a deep spiritual connection to the arid landscape.”
Examples
simple
“They spent three weeks driving through the outback.”
contextual
“Living in the outback requires careful planning because the nearest town might be hundreds of kilometers away.”
complex
“The documentary explores how indigenous communities have thrived in the harsh conditions of the outback for millennia, maintaining a deep spiritual connection to the arid landscape.”
Usage
Typically preceded by the definite article 'the'.
Real-World Examples
“It has been almost a year since four-year-old Gus went missing from his family’s enormous sheep farm in the South Australian outback.” “Monocle hits the tarmac to meet the rich characters who live life in the outback.” Etymology
From out + back.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Word family
NOUN
ADJECTIVE
PHRASAL VERB
PREPOSITION
- 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
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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QR code
englishreference.com/q/outback