SINCE 1828
dictionary
thesaurus

backbite

verb
Save Word
back·​bite | \ ˈbak-ˌbīt How to pronounce backbite (audio) \
backbit; backbitten; backbiting

Definition of backbite

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.— Jack London

Other Words from backbite

backbiter noun

First Known Use of backbite

12th century, in the meaning defined above

Learn More About backbite

Time Traveler for backbite

Time Traveler

The first known use of backbite was in the 12th century

See more words from the same century

Dictionary Entries Near backbite

backberend

backbite

backblast

See More Nearby Entries 

Statistics for backbite

Cite this Entry

“Backbite.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/backbite. Accessed 9 Aug. 2022.

Style: MLA
MLACheck Mark Icon ChicagoCheck Mark Icon APACheck Mark Icon Merriam-WebsterCheck Mark Icon

More from Merriam-Webster on backbite

Nglish: Translation of backbite for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of backbite for Arabic Speakers

WORD OF THE DAY

riposte

Listen to the pronunciation of riposte

See Definitions and Examples »

Test Your Vocabulary

Commonly Confused Words Quiz

  • vector image of a face with thought expression
  • I went to the ______ store to buy a birthday card.
Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ
Universal Daily Crossword

A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games