back of

preposition

US, informal

: behind

… stood leaning against a parked car out back of the building …

—Peter Goldman et al.

They now sit … just two games back of the Yankees in the wild card race.

—Steve Buckley

Synonyms of back of

• in back of
• behind

Examples of back of in a Sentence

the equipment shed is a concrete structure back of the school

Recent Examples on the Web

Things to do ☀️ New York-style bagels, a fresh manicure and a massage in the back of a sushi restaurant are on the agenda for ‘Scrubs’ actor Judy Reyes on her perfect Sunday. — Andrew J. Campa, Los Angeles Times, 1 Nov. 2026

The boy on the truck stared at the back of the gathering, his aim focused on the captain. — Ron Farina, Hartford Courant, 1 Nov. 2026

But Danielson kept the ball in Cutforth’s hands, who threw a dagger down the middle on fourth-and-10 to a diving Jones at the back of the end zone for the latter’s third receiving touchdown of the day. — Idaho Statesman, 1 Nov. 2026

Ross’ hair was slicked back and situated in a tight bun at the back of her head. — Amina Ayoud, Footwear News, 31 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1694, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for back of

• above
• foxglove
• hereof
• thereof
• whereof
• dove
• glove
• love
• shove
• hereinabove

Kids Definition

back of

preposition

informal

: behind entry 2 sense 1

out back of the barn