DEFINITIONS
The
2019 WORD
OF THE YEAR is...

backstairs

or back·stair

[ bak-stairz ]
/ ˈbækˈstɛərz /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR backstairs ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

associated or originating with household servants.
secret, underhanded, or scandalous: backstairs gossip.

Words related to backstairs

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

Words nearby backstairs

backspin, backsplash, backsplice, backstab, backstage, backstairs, backstay, backstitch, backstop, backstory, backstrap loom

Origin of backstairs

First recorded in 1635–45; adj. use of back stairs
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Examples 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