How to pronounce backwater
Say it like BAK-waw-ter. Backwater has three 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 backwater. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- BAK
- waw
- ter
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Backwater 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.
- wawGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
- terKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "er" in butter.
American vs British pronunciation of backwater
- Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: BAK-waw-tuh.
What does backwater mean?
- The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
- A remote place: somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc; any field of endeavor that figuratively resembles such a place.“an academic backwater”
- A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water
- To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
- To vacillate on a long-held position.
Where does backwater come from?
From back + water.
Questions about saying backwater
How do you pronounce backwater?
Say BAK-waw-ter. The American pronunciation is /ˈbæˌkwɔtɚ/. In British English it is /ˈbæˌkwɔːtə/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in backwater?
Backwater has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (BAK). Broken into parts: BAK · waw · ter.
Is backwater pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. Americans pronounce the r after a vowel; most British speakers leave it silent and lengthen the vowel instead. The British form is /ˈbæˌkwɔːtə/ (BAK-waw-tuh).