Standard Lemma guide

backchat

noun · verb · 3 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

Each Play button uses your device's default local English voice, or a natural local fallback. The selected voice name appears after playback. This is synthesized speech, not a source recording.

  • /ˈbæk.t͡ʃæt/
  • Southern-England: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.

1

noun

Meaning 1

Cheeky or impertinent responses, especially to criticism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: UK, countable, uncountable

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

verb

Meaning 2

To respond in a disputative, often sarcastic manner.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Examples

  • Peter was sent to detention for backchatting the teacher.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

light teasing repartee

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: banter, raillery, give-and-take

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: repartee

Narrower terms: badinage, persiflage

History

Etymology

From back + chat.