back-to-back

1 of 2

adjective or adverb

ˈbak-tə-ˈbak 

1

: facing in opposite directions and often touching

2

: coming one after the other : consecutive

back-to-back

2 of 2

noun

plural back-to-backs

1

British : a house that is connected in a row with other houses on each side and with a similar row of houses behind it

These were where the millworkers dwelt, the worst of them known as back-to-backs because that is how they were built, without intervening space.

—Geoffrey Moorhouse

2

sports : a sequence of two games scheduled to be played on consecutive days

Miami began to beat elite teams and was bloodlessly efficient in the second half of back-to-backs, winning 11 in a row over a three-month stretch, a sign of a team with toughness.

—Jack McCallum

Synonyms of back-to-back

Adjective or adverb

• together
• successively
• consecutively
• running
• repeatedly

Examples of back-to-back in a Sentence

Adjective or adverb

the three movies in the series were filmed back-to-back so that the cast members wouldn't age visibly on screen

the new governor was soon facing several back-to-back crises

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective or adverb

Hernandez gave up six runs in the top of the seventh, just after the Dodgers had jumped back into the game by cutting the deficit from five to one on back-to-back homers from Daulton Rushing — one of his four hits — and Ryan Ward. —Jeff Fletcher, Oc Register, 8 June 2026

The Knicks are returning home with a 2-0 lead against the San Antonio Spurs in an incredible playoff run that’s included back-to-back sweeps of the Philadelphia 76ers and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the Eastern Conference. —Doha Madani, NBC news, 7 June 2026

By prevailing over Minnesota and OKC in back-to-back slugfests, the Spurs have shattered every precedent that experience is a non-negotiable playoff virtue. —Bennett Durando, Denver Post, 7 June 2026

Twins rookie Connor Prielipp (2-4) went 4 1/3 innings in his ninth start, allowing two runs and four hits, including back-to-back doubles by Vinnie Pasquantino and Nick Loftin that tied it 1-all in the fourth. —ABC News, 7 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective Or Adverb

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1940, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for back-to-back

• almanac
• camelback
• cardiac
• carryback
• cluniac
• diamondback
• lumberjack
• maniac
• paperback
• piggyback
• quarterback
• saddleback