How to pronounce backspace
Say it like BAK-spays. Backspace 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 backspace. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- spays
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backspace 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.
- spaysGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "ay" in day.
American vs British pronunciation of backspace
American and British speakers say backspace in essentially the same way: /ˈbækˌspeɪs/ in the US and /ˈbækˌspeɪs/ in the UK.
British respelling: BAK-spays.
What does backspace mean?
- The key on a typewriter that moves the head one position backwards.
- A keyboard key used for removing a character behind the cursor, and moving the cursor one position backwards.
- A non-printable text character representing a backspace.
- To remove a character behind a cursor.
- To move a magnetic tape to a previous block.
Where does backspace come from?
From back + space.
Questions about saying backspace
How do you pronounce backspace?
Say BAK-spays. The American pronunciation is /ˈbækˌspeɪs/. In British English it is /ˈbækˌspeɪs/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backspace?
Backspace has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · spays.
Do Americans and Brits say backspace the same way?
Almost exactly. The American form is /ˈbækˌspeɪs/ and the British form is /ˈbækˌspeɪs/, so you can use either pronunciation with any listener.