backwoods

UK: /ˈbækwʊdz/ US: /ˈbækˈwʊdz/ ,(bak′wŏŏdz′)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•woods /ˈbækˈwʊdz/   n. 

1. [noncount;
   used with a singular verb] wooded or partly uncleared and unsettled districts.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

back•woods  (bak′wŏŏdz′), n. 

1. (often used with a sing. v.) wooded or partially uncleared and unsettled districts.
2. any remote or isolated area.

adj. Also, back′wood′, back′woods′y. 

3. of or pertaining to the backwoods.
4. unsophisticated;
   uncouth.

• back¹ + woods 1700–10, American.

Synonyms

• 2. hinterland, provinces, wilds, woodland; sticks, boondocks, boonies, bush, backwater.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

backwoods / ˈbækwʊdz/ noun:plural

1. partially cleared, sparsely populated forests
2. any remote sparsely populated place
3. (modifier) of, from, or like the backwoods
4. (modifier) uncouth; rustic