how to pronounce backwater

/ˈbækˌwɔːtɚ/

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the above transcription of backwater is a detailed (narrow) transcription according to the rules of the International Phonetic Association; you can find a description of each symbol by clicking the phoneme buttons in the secction below.

backwater is pronounced in three syllables

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example pitch curve for pronunciation of backwater

bækwɔːtɚ

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video examples of backwater pronunciation

An example use of backwater in a speech by a native speaker of american english:

“… a backwater college fifty years after …”

meanings of backwater

noun:

  1. The water held back by a dam or other obstruction.
  2. A rowing stroke in which the oar is pushed forward to stop the boat; see back water.
  3. A remote place; somewhere that remains unaffected by new events, progresses, ideas, etc.

verb:

  1. To row or paddle a backwater stroke.
  2. To vacillate on a long-held position.

backwater frequency in english - C2+ level of CEFR

the word backwater occurs in english on average 0.5 times per one million words; this frequency warrants it to be in the study list for C2+ level of language mastery according to CEFR, the Common European Framework of Reference.

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