NYT Dictionary

BACKTRACK

/ˈbæk.tɹæk/

NounVerbBACK-trackback-track · 2 syllablesGrade 7

Accepted in official NYT Spelling Bee puzzle years: 2024, 2026

Meaning

The act of backtracking.

Etymology

Origin: Old English

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *bʰeg-der.? Proto-Germanic *baką Proto-West Germanic *bak Old English bæc Middle English bak English back English track English backtrack From back + track.

Synonyms & Antonyms

Synonyms

backpedalbackbackwaterreverse

NYT Puzzle Appearances

Accepted in 2 recorded puzzles:

2026-08-01RABCIKT
2024-04-11TAKCBIR