Standard Lemma guide

backtick

noun · 1 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.tɪk/
  • UK: Recorded audio is listed in the source snapshot.
  • rhymes with -æktɪk

1

noun

Meaning 1

The symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark and also being, or being homoglyphic to (depending on mental model), a grave accent mark in isolation. (Common uses include (1) use as a dead key in composing grave-accented characters, (2) use as an escape character to mark literals, and (3) many other uses as defined by contexts.)

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: computing, engineering, mathematics, media, natural-sciences, physical-sciences, publishing, sciences, typography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: backquote

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From back + tick.

Across languages

Translations

5 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Czech: zpětný apostrof — the symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
  • Czech: obrácený apostrof — the symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
  • Esperanto: malapostrofo — the symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
  • German: Backtick — the symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
  • Hungarian: fordított félidézőjel — the symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark