bareback

or bare·backed

[ bair-bak ]

/ ˈbɛərˌbæk /

Save This Word!

adverb, adjective

with the back of a horse, burro, etc., bare; without a saddle: to ride bareback; a bareback rider.

QUIZ

WILL YOU SAIL OR STUMBLE ON THESE GRAMMAR QUESTIONS?

Smoothly step over to these common grammar mistakes that trip many people up. Good luck!

Question 1 of 7

Fill in the blank: I can’t figure out _____ gave me this gift.

who

whom

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of bareback

First recorded in 1555–65; bare¹ + back¹

Words nearby bareback

Bardot, bardy, bare, Barea, bareass, bareback, barebelly, bareboat, bareboned, bare bones, barefaced

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use bareback in a sentence

Researchers recreated Turfan Man’s entire outfit and gave it to a man who rode a horse bareback.
The earliest known pants are surprisingly modern — and comfy|Bruce Bower|March 21, 2022|Science News For Students
Such garments eased the strain of riding horses bareback over long distances.
The earliest known pants are surprisingly modern — and comfy|Bruce Bower|March 21, 2022|Science News For Students
Woven leg covers connected by a flexible crotch piece eased the strain of riding horses bareback over long distances.
The world’s oldest pants stitched together cultures from across Asia|Bruce Bower|February 18, 2022|Science News
In tests with a man riding a horse bareback while wearing a re-created version of Turfan Man’s entire outfit, the trousers fit snugly yet allowed the legs to clamp firmly around the horse.
The world’s oldest pants stitched together cultures from across Asia|Bruce Bower|February 18, 2022|Science News

From paddling an aqua blue lagoon in the shadow of a dormant volcano to riding a horse bareback through the sea to a small island, here’s to skipping packed beach scenes for local-helmed experiences and new discoveries.
This is the Mexico for Adventurers|jversteegh|February 3, 2022|Outside Online
The group also posted to Craigslist: with the headline, "Do you like to bareback?"
Breaking: Grindr-ing Leads to Gonorrhea|Brandy Zadrozny|June 12, 2014|DAILY BEAST
That is why Indian children prefer riding bareback on an elephant to taking a howdah.
Kari the Elephant|Dhan Gopal Mukerji
Without a word John leaped bareback on one of the horses he had just unsaddled and spurred him across the courtyard.
The Man of the Forest|Zane Grey
Burt rode bareback into camp, driving half the number of the horses; Riggs followed shortly with several more.
The Man of the Forest|Zane Grey
Johnnie mounted Ebenezer bareback; and leading Twinkleheels, he turned down the lane.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels|Arthur Scott Bailey
Especially after the circus men came along and pasted posters on the barn Johnnie Green liked to ride bareback.
The Tale of Pony Twinkleheels|Arthur Scott Bailey

British Dictionary definitions for bareback

bareback

barebacked

/ (ˈbɛəˌbæk) /

adjective, adverb

(of horse-riding) without a saddle

slang (of sex) without a condom

verb slang

(intr) to practise unprotected sex

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