Dictionary.com

backstairs

or back·stair

[ bak-stairz ]
/ ˈbækˈstɛərz /
See synonyms for backstairs on Thesaurus.com

adjective

associated or originating with household servants: Weak tea and burnt toast evidenced the start of a backstairs revolt.
secret,underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.

QUIZZES

LEARN THE SPANISH WORDS FOR THESE COMMON ANIMALS!

Are you learning Spanish? Or do you just have an interest in foreign languages? Either way, this quiz on Spanish words for animals is for you.
Question 1 of 13
How do you say “cat” 🐈 in Spanish?
gato/gata
cato/cata
gatto/gatta
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of backstairs

First recorded in 1635–45; adjective use of back stairs

Words nearby backstairs

backsplice, backstab, back-stabbing, back staff, backstage, backstairs, backstay, backstitch, backstop, backstory, back straight

Definition for backstairs (2 of 2)

back stairs

noun

stairs at the back of a house, as for use by servants.
a means of intrigue.

Origin of back stairs

First recorded in 1620–30
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021

Words related to backstairs

confidential, covert, classified, secretive, surreptitious, furtive, hush-hush, restricted, reticent, enigmatic, taciturn, close, inside, sneak, backdoor, camouflaged, cryptic, discreet, disguised, incognito

Example sentences from the Web for backstairs

British Dictionary definitions for backstairs

backstairs
/ (ˈbækˈstɛəz) /

pl n

a secondary staircase in a house, esp one originally for the use of servants

adjective Also: backstair

underhandbackstairs gossip
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012