backbite

verb

back·​bite ˈbak-ˌbīt 

backbit; backbitten; backbiting

transitive + intransitive

: to say mean or spiteful things about a person (such as someone who is not present)

They beguiled the time by backbiting and intriguing against each other in a foolish kind of way.

—Joseph Conrad

backbiter noun

Word History

First Known Use

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backbite

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

backbite

verb

back·​bite -ˌbīt 

backbit; backbitten; backbiting

: to say mean things about a person who is not present

backbiter noun