backwater

back·wa·ter

noun \-ˌwȯ-tər, -ˌwä-\

Definition of BACKWATER

1

a : water backed up in its course by an obstruction, an opposing current, or the tide b : a body of water (as an inlet or tributary) that is out of the main current of a larger body

2

a : an isolated or backward place or condition b : an unpopular or unimportant field (as of study or business)

Examples of BACKWATER

1. The once sleepy backwater is now a thriving city.
2. <a distant backwater that didn't even have electricity at that time>

First Known Use of BACKWATER

1629

Related to BACKWATER

Synonyms: backcountry, backland(s), frontier, backwoods, bush, hinterland, outback, outlands, up-country

Related Words: boonies [slang], boondocks, country, countryside, sticks

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Rhymes with BACKWATER

bathwater, bilgewater, blackwater, blue-water, branch water, breakwater, Clearwater, cold-water, cutwater, dewater, deepwater, dishwater, firewater, first water, floodwater, freshwater, Goldwater, granddaughter, gray water, groundwater, headwater, high-water, hold water, hot water, ice water, jerkwater, limewater, low water, make water, manslaughter, meltwater, rainwater, red water, rosewater, saltwater, seawater, self-slaughter, shearwater, springwater, stepdaughter, still water, tailwater, tap water, tidewater, tread water, wastewater, white-water