How to pronounce backless
Say it like BAK-lus. Backless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce backless. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- lus
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backless pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- BAKSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- lusKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
American vs British pronunciation of backless
American and British speakers say backless in essentially the same way: /ˈbækləs/ in the US and /ˈbækləs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAK-lus.
What does backless mean?
- Having no back, especially where one would be expected, as with a chair or a dress.“a backless surgical gown”
- Having the back uncovered, showing the skin.
Where does backless come from?
From back + -less.
Similar and opposite words
Opposite meaning
Words that rhyme with backless
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of backless.
Questions about saying backless
How do you pronounce backless?
Say BAK-lus. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækləs/. In British English it is /ˈbækləs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backless?
Backless has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · lus.
Do Americans and Brits say backless the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbækləs/ and the British form is /ˈbækləs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.