Definition of BACKSLASH

backslash

Meanings

Plural: backslashes

Noun

  • The punctuation mark \.
  • Used erroneously in reference to, or in reading out, the ordinary slash, that is, the punctuation mark /.

Verb

  • To escape (a metacharacter) by prepending a backslash that serves as an escape character, thereby forming an escape sequence.

Origin / Etymology

From back + slash, because it is a slash going back against the direction of writing, in contrast to the common slash / (“slash, solidus, oblique, forward slash”).

Synonyms

backward slash, reverse solidus, slosh, whack

Antonyms

slash

Scrabble Score: 20

backslash is a valid Scrabble (US) TWL word
backslash is a valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
backslash is a valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 22

backslash is a valid Words With Friends word