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Meaning & use

back wall

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˌbæk ˈwɔːl/
US/ˌbæk ˈwɔːl/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    The wall at the rear of a room, building, or other enclosed space.

    Grammar: Usually takes 'the' or a possessive: the back wall, its back wall.

    Patterns

    • the back wall of something
    • against the back wall
    • on the back wall

    We pushed the sofa against the back wall to make the room feel bigger.

    There was a small window high up in the back wall of the barn.

    A map of the city hung on the back wall of the classroom.

  2. nouncountablesport

    The wall at the far end of a sports court, especially in squash and racquetball.

    Grammar: Common in the phrase 'off the back wall', which needs no article.

    Patterns

    • off the back wall
    • hit the back wall
    • the ball hit the back wall

    She read the bounce off the back wall and returned the ball easily.

    His shot hit the back wall just above the line.

    You need quick hands when the ball comes off the back wall.

  3. nouncountabletechnical

    The rear inner surface of a structure such as a fireplace, oven, or cupboard.

    Grammar: Often used with 'of': the back wall of the oven.

    Patterns

    • the back wall of something
    • line the back wall

    Soot had built up on the back wall of the fireplace.

    The back wall of the oven is coated so that it cleans itself.

    Tiles cover the back wall of the shower.

Word forms

pluralback walls

Common combinations

against the back wall
They stacked the chairs against the back wall.
the back wall of the room
The back wall of the room was painted dark blue.
off the back wall
The ball came off the back wall at speed.
hang something on the back wall
We hung a large mirror on the back wall.
line the back wall
Shelves line the back wall of the shop.

Synonyms and how they differ

rear wall
Means the same but sounds more formal and is common in descriptions of buildings and vehicles.
far wall
Used when you are looking into a room and mean the wall opposite you, which is often but not always the back wall.

Opposites

front wall

Word family

wall noun
The general word for an upright structure that divides or encloses a space.
back adjective
Describes the part that is furthest from the front.

Commonly confused: back wall or backstop?

back wall vs backstop

A backstop is a barrier or screen that stops a ball, not a wall of a room or court.

Practice

The squash ball came fast ___ the back wall and she had to turn quickly.

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