backwoods

[ bak-woodz ]

noun

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

   Synonyms: backwater, bush, boonies, boondocks, woodland, wild, hinterland

adjective

1. of or relating to the backwoods.
2. unsophisticated; uncouth.

backwoods

/ ˈbækwʊdz /

plural noun

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of backwoods¹

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10; back ¹ + woods ¹ (in the sense “a forest”)

Example Sentences

Burtch was the 40th person claimed by covid-19 in sparsely populated Montmorency County, in the backwoods of northern Michigan.

From Washington Post

This byway’s two distinct branches—the Coastal Trail and the Forest Trail—wind through unexpected, wild, backwoods versions of Florida.

From Outside Online

Attempts to smuggle the self-styled backwoods boy into the professional class were unsuccessful.

From Time

On trips to backwoods cabins and huts, I’ve appreciated the modesty the Rothe’s unusually long cut provides.

From Outside Online

Trudging off to the right, threading his way past bear traps on the ground, he comes upon a house — just what you’d expect in a backwoods horror flick.

From Washington Post

He spends his days shacked up in a 400-square-foot converted turkey coop in the backwoods of Maine.

From The Daily Beast

He suspected that the driver, who was identified as Cody Alan Legebokoff, was poaching in the backwoods.

From The Daily Beast

So, beneath all the changes that had come to her backwoods lover, Sammy felt that Ollie himself was unchanged.

From Project Gutenberg

To the simple girl of the backwoods, he succeeded in making the life in the city appear very wonderful, indeed.

From Project Gutenberg

If he is wise, he will stay in the backwoods to be worshipped for he'll find that his size won't count for much in the world.

From Project Gutenberg

Even in comparatively civilized American backwoods, a person who has killed a bully has been thought a public benefactor.

From Project Gutenberg

Prestige is nowhere held at higher premium than in the backwoods.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• backcountry
• outback