backwoods

1 of 2

noun

back·​woods ˈbak-ˈwu̇dz 

plural in form but singular or plural in construction

1

: wooded or partly cleared areas far from cities

2

: a remote or culturally backward area

backwoodsy

ˈbak-ˈwu̇d-zē 

adjective

backwoods

2 of 2

adjective

: of, relating to, or suggesting backwoods

especially : culturally backward or unsophisticated

a backwoods sentimentality

Synonyms

Noun

• countryside
• backwater
• bush
• frontier
• backcountry
• outback
• country
• up-country
• hinterland

Examples of backwoods in a Sentence

Noun

lived far out in the backwoods and raised hogs for a living

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Frances Quinlan Quinlan had planned to celebrate her 34th birthday in a backwoods cabin this week, before a Friday show in Ohio. —Megan Spurrell, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 May 2020

The potholes are worth it, however, for the great weekend of backwoods hiking and exploring . —Stef Schrader, Popular Mechanics, 25 Apr. 2020

With a freestanding design, premium lightweight aluminum poles, and two entry doors, this backwoods house packs in serious features for the money. —T. Edward Nickens, Field & Stream, 7 Apr. 2020

The Curse of Buckout Road Witches burning at the stake, backwoods albino killers and a modern day stalker prove to be more than urban legends on this New York state byway. —Los Angeles Times, 22 Sep. 2019

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

1709, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1784, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for backwoods

• childhoods
• falsehoods
• flatwoods
• hardwoods
• priesthoods
• redwoods
• softwoods
• brotherhoods
• cottonwoods
• likelihoods
• livelihoods
• neighborhoods

Kids Definition

backwoods

plural noun

back·​woods

ˈbak-ˈwu̇dz,

-ˌwu̇dz

1

: wooded or partly cleared areas far from cities

2

: a place that is slow to adopt the ways of the city