backyard
backyard — noun
1. an outdoor space directly behind a house, enclosed by walls, where the ground is
an outdoor space directly behind a house, enclosed by walls, where the ground is paved or concreted rather than planted with grass.
Mrs. Patel hung the wet sheets on a line in her tiny brick backyard.
in + possessive + backyard
The two boys kicked a football against the backyard wall until their mother shouted.
compound: backyard wall
Tom keeps three rusty bicycles and a broken washing machine in his backyard.
The terraced houses on Bridge Street each have a narrow paved backyard with a back gate.
- front yard
the equivalent space in front of the house
文法句型
in the backyard
out in the backyard
用法筆記
Mainly British English. Distinguish from sense 2: a British backyard is paved and small; an American backyard is grassed and larger.
常見錯誤
2. the open ground attached to the rear of a home, usually grassy and bordered by a
the open ground attached to the rear of a home, usually grassy and bordered by a fence, where families relax, garden, or play outdoors.
The Garcia kids built a treehouse in the big oak tree in their backyard.
in + possessive + backyard
Every Saturday, Dad fires up the grill and we eat dinner in the backyard.
collocation: in the backyard
A small wooden fence runs around the backyard to keep the dog from escaping.
Greta found a baby rabbit hiding under the rose bush in the backyard.
Their backyard is large enough for a swimming pool and a vegetable patch.
- back garden
British English for the same grassed area
- yard
American, less specific about which side of the house
- front yard
the grassed area in front of the house
文法句型
in the backyard
out in the backyard
用法筆記
Mainly American English. Subject of 'have' is usually a household or family ('we have a big backyard'). Distinguish from sense 1 (British, paved); in this American sense, grass and trees are typical.
常見錯誤
backyard — adjective
1. describing an activity, event, or operation that is run on a small, casual scale
describing an activity, event, or operation that is run on a small, casual scale at someone's home or by amateurs, rather than by a professional company or in a proper venue.
Tova started a backyard car repair business and now fixes engines for half the street.
before noun: backyard + business
On July fourth, the Petersons throw a noisy backyard barbecue for the whole neighborhood.
collocation: backyard barbecue
Two teenage cousins filmed a backyard wrestling match and uploaded it to YouTube.
Grandpa brews a strong backyard beer in old plastic buckets every summer.
- professional
done by trained experts for payment
文法句型
backyard + noun
用法筆記
Always used before the noun (attributive). Often carries an informal, slightly mocking tone — suggesting the activity is fun but unprofessional. Not used after a verb (you cannot say 'the wedding was backyard').