Meaning & use
back order or backorder
Last updated
Meanings
nouncountable
A request for goods that a seller cannot supply yet and will send later when new stock arrives.
Grammar: Countable: use 'a back order' or 'back orders'. Often used with 'on': the item is on back order.
Patterns
- be on back order
- place a back order for something
- a back order for something
The book you want is on back order, so it may take two weeks to arrive.
We placed a back order for fifty chairs when the warehouse ran out.
Customers with back orders will be told as soon as the new stock comes in.
verbtransitive
To order something that is not currently available, so it will be sent when it is back in stock.
Grammar: Takes an object: backorder the item. Often used in the passive: the item was backordered.
Patterns
- backorder something
- something is backordered
If the size you need is sold out, you can backorder it and we will ship it later.
The part was backordered, which delayed the repair by a week.
They decided to backorder the popular toy rather than cancel the order.
Word forms
| plural | back orders |
|---|---|
| third person singular | backorders |
| past tense | backordered |
| past participle | backordered |
| -ing form | backordering |
Common combinations
- on back order
- The printer is on back order until next month.
- place a back order
- She placed a back order for the out-of-stock phone case.
- back order list
- Your name is at the top of the back order list.
- backordered item
- The backordered item finally shipped yesterday.
Synonyms and how they differ
- out of stock
- Describes an item that is not available right now, but it does not necessarily mean a later delivery has been arranged.
- on order
- Means the seller has already ordered more from the supplier; a back order is a customer's request held until stock returns.
Opposites
Word family
- backordered adjective
- Describing an item that is temporarily unavailable and will be supplied later.
Commonly confused: back order or backorder or backlog?
back order or backorder vs backlog
A backlog is a pile of work or orders that has built up and needs to be dealt with; a back order is one specific order waiting for stock.
Practice
The laptop you want is currently ______ back order, so it will arrive in about ten days.
Choose one answer.
The fixed phrase is 'on back order'. 'In back order' is not used in English; 'in stock' is the opposite idea.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “back order or backorder”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.