English Dictionary

BACKBITE (backbit, backbitten)

Pronunciation (US): Play  (GB): Play

IPA (US): 

Irregular inflected forms: backbit  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation, backbitten  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation

 Dictionary entry overview: What does backbite mean? 

BACKBITE (verb)
  The verb BACKBITE has 1 sense:

1. say mean thingsplay

  Familiarity information: BACKBITE used as a verb is very rare.


 Dictionary entry details 


BACKBITE (verb)

 Conjugation: 
Present simple: I / you / we / they backbite  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation ... he / she / it backbites  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past simple: backbit  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
Past participle: backbitten  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation
-ing form: backbiting  Listen to US pronunciation  Listen to GB pronunciation


Sense 1

Meaning:

Say mean things

Classified under:

Verbs of telling, asking, ordering, singing

Synonyms:

backbite; bitch

Hypernyms (to "backbite" is one way to...):

complain; kick; kvetch; plain; quetch; sound off (express complaints, discontent, displeasure, or unhappiness)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s

Derivation:

backbiter (one who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel)


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