Meaning & use
backpackers
Last updated
“backpackers” is a form of “backpacker”.
Meanings
nounplural
People who travel with a backpack, especially those who go on long, inexpensive trips.
Grammar: This is the plural form; the singular is 'backpacker'. It takes a plural verb: Backpackers are everywhere.
Patterns
- backpackers travel
- a group of backpackers
- hostel for backpackers
The hostel is full of backpackers from all over the world.
Backpackers often stay in cheap guesthouses and cook their own meals.
We met some friendly backpackers on the train to the mountains.
nounplural
People who carry a backpack, for example students or hikers.
Grammar: Plural; used for any group of people carrying backpacks, not only travelers.
Patterns
- school backpackers
- hiking backpackers
The trail was crowded with backpackers heading to the lake.
A line of backpackers waited for the bus after school.
Word forms
| singular | backpacker |
|---|---|
| plural | backpackers |
Common combinations
- a group of backpackers
- A group of backpackers arrived at the hostel late at night.
- backpackers' hostel
- We stayed at a backpackers' hostel near the beach.
- young backpackers
- Young backpackers often travel for months on a small budget.
- attract backpackers
- The town attracts backpackers with its cheap food and friendly people.
Synonyms and how they differ
- travelers
- A general word for people who travel, but it doesn't necessarily mean they carry backpacks or travel cheaply.
- tourists
- People who visit places for pleasure, often on organized trips; backpackers usually travel more independently and cheaply.
- hikers
- People who go on long walks, especially in the countryside; they may carry backpacks, but the focus is on walking, not travel style.
Word family
- backpack noun
- The bag you carry on your back.
- backpacking noun
- The activity of traveling or hiking with a backpack.
- backpacker noun
- The singular form; one person who travels with a backpack.
Commonly confused: backpackers or backpacks?
backpackers vs backpacks
'Backpacks' are the bags; 'backpackers' are the people who carry them.
Practice
The hostel was full of ___ from Australia and Europe.
Choose one answer.
The plural 'backpackers' fits because the sentence talks about many people. 'Backpacker' is singular, 'backpacks' are the bags, and 'backpacking' is the activity, not the people.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “backpackers”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.