Meanings
plural backticks
- computingThe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark and also being, or being homoglyphic to (depending on mental model), a grave accent mark in isolation. (Common uses include (1) use as a dead key in composing grave-accented characters, (2) use as an escape character to mark literals, and (3) many other uses as defined by contexts.)
The backtick acts like the double-quote operator.
2000, Lincoln D Stein, Network Programming with PerlSynonyms: backquote
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark and also being, or being homoglyphic to (depending on mental model), a grave accent mark in isolation. (Common uses include (1) use as a dead key in composing grave-accented characters, (2) use as an escape character to mark literals, and (3) many other uses as defined by contexts.)
Origin
Translations
Czech zpětný apostrof, obrácený apostrof
- zpětný apostrofthe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
- obrácený apostrofthe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
Esperanto malapostrofo
- malapostrofothe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
German Backtick
- Backtickthe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
Hungarian fordított félidézőjel
- fordított félidézőjelthe symbol `, resembling a reversed quotation mark
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with backtick
Cite this entry
backtick. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backtick
“backtick.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backtick. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “backtick,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/backtick.
Source: backtick on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.