backup
B2Informal to Neutral
Definition
Meaning
Support or extra help for a primary person or system; a substitute or reserve.
A copy of computer data stored separately; an accumulation or reserve of something (e.g., water, traffic).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a noun; can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., backup plan). The verb form is a phrasal verb 'to back up'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling: UK sometimes uses 'back-up' with a hyphen, especially as a noun. US strongly prefers 'backup'.
Connotations
Similar across both dialects.
Frequency
Slightly more common in US English, especially in technical (IT) contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
have/get/need + backupcreate/make + a backup (of + object)provide/offer + backupserve as + backupbackup + for/to + nounVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “have someone's back (related concept)”
- “plan B (related concept)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Essential for continuity planning, e.g., 'We need a financial backup in case the project fails.'
Academic
Used in computing and engineering disciplines, e.g., 'The experiment's data backup was stored offsite.'
Everyday
Common for plans and assistance, e.g., 'Take a umbrella as a backup.'
Technical
Core IT term for data copies, e.g., 'Incremental backup saves only changed files.'
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- You should regularly back up your files to the cloud.
- Could you back me up in the meeting tomorrow?
American English
- Make sure to back up your computer tonight.
- The facts back up his argument perfectly.
adverb
British English
- No common adverbial use. The phrasal verb 'back up' is used.
American English
- No common adverbial use. The phrasal verb 'back up' is used.
adjective
British English
- Always have a backup generator for power cuts.
- He's the backup goalkeeper for the team.
American English
- What's your backup plan if it rains?
- She plays backup guitar on this track.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a backup key for my house.
- Call for backup if you need help.
- Always keep a backup of important photos.
- The police officer waited for backup.
- The system performs an automatic backup every night.
- We need a backup speaker in case the main one cancels.
- The dam's failure caused a catastrophic backup of floodwater.
- Her meticulous research served as an impeccable backup for her controversial thesis.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
BACKUP: Think of a friend who has your BACK and is UP for helping you when needed.
Conceptual Metaphor
SUPPORT IS A RESERVE BEHIND YOU (from military/team sports).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating IT 'backup' as 'резервный' alone; use 'резервная копия'. 'Backup singer' is 'бэк-вокалист'. 'Traffic backup' is 'пробка' or 'затор'.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'backup' as a verb (the verb is 'back up', two words). Confusing 'backup' (noun/adj) with 'back up' (phrasal verb).
Practice
Quiz
In which sentence is 'backup' used correctly as a noun?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun or adjective, it is one word (or hyphenated: back-up). As a verb, it is two words: 'back up'.
'Backup' is a thing (noun) or a descriptor (adjective). 'Back up' is an action (verb) meaning to support, reverse, or make a copy.
Yes, it is very common in everyday language for any reserve or substitute (e.g., backup plan, backup player).
They mean the same. 'Back-up' is a variant spelling, more common in UK English. 'Backup' (no hyphen) is standard in US English and increasingly global.
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