BACKBITE (backbit, backbitten)

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

Irregular inflected forms: backbit    , backbitten   

 Dictionary entry overview: What does backbite mean? 

• BACKBITE (verb)
  The verb BACKBITE has 1 sense:

1. say mean things

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

 Dictionary entry details 

• BACKBITE (verb)

Present simple: I / you / we / they backbite    ... he / she / it backbites   
Past simple: backbit   
Past participle: backbitten   
-ing form: backbiting   

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)