backpack
gb/bˈækpˌæk/ us/bˈækpˌæk/
A1
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A1
entity
1
A bag worn on the back
A bag you carry on your back using two straps over your shoulders.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'backpack' with 'bag' or 'suitcase'; 'backpack' specifically refers to a bag worn on the back with straps.
Synonyms
rucksack (Common in British English; similar meaning but sometimes suggests outdoor or hiking use.)
Antonyms
handbag (A bag carried by hand or over one shoulder rather than on the back.)
Collocations
school backpack
|hiking backpack
|pack a backpack
|wear a backpack
|carry a backpack
Themes
daily life
|travel
|school
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She slung her backpack over her shoulders before leaving for school.
- I bought a new hiking backpack for our trip to the mountains.
- His backpack was so heavy he could barely lift it.
- The thief grabbed her backpack and ran away.
- I keep my water bottle in the side pocket of my backpack.
Learner examples
- I carry my books in a backpack.
- My backpack is blue and green.
- He wears a backpack to school every day.
- This backpack is very light.
- I put my lunch in my backpack.
Verb
B1
action
2
To travel carrying a backpack
To walk or travel while carrying your things in a backpack.
Usage pattern:
to backpack [somewhere]
Common mistake:
Some learners confuse 'backpack' (verb) with 'hike'; 'backpack' usually involves longer travel and carrying all belongings.
Synonyms
hike (Focuses on walking outdoors, often without the implication of carrying all belongings for travel.)
Antonyms
drive (Traveling by vehicle rather than on foot with a backpack.)
Collocations
backpack across Europe
|backpack through Asia
|backpack in the mountains
Themes
travel
|outdoors
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- They plan to backpack across South America next summer.
- I spent six months backpacking through Southeast Asia.
- She loves to backpack in remote mountain areas.
- After college, he decided to backpack around the world.
- We backpacked from village to village, staying in small guesthouses.
Learner examples
- I want to backpack across my country.
- They will backpack in the forest this weekend.
- We backpacked through three cities last month.
- She likes to backpack with her friends.
- He is backpacking in Europe now.
Grammar
Dictionary form
backpack
IPA
GB/bˈækpˌæk/
US/bˈækpˌæk/
Syllables & stress
back - pack (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (back)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: backpack
- Plural: backpacks
Word family
Expressions
backpack through
1/bˈækpˌæk θɹˈu/
fixed phrase
Travel through an area with a backpack
To travel through a place while carrying your things in a backpack.
Examples
- They plan to backpack through Central America this summer.
- We spent two weeks backpacking through the Alps.
live out of a backpack
1/lˈɪv ˈaʊt əv ə bˈækpˌæk/
idiom
Travel with minimal belongings
To travel while carrying everything you need in one backpack.
Examples
- During his gap year, he lived out of a backpack for eight months.
- I could live out of a backpack if I had to travel constantly.