Hyphenation.one

Hyphenation for “backfire”

Showing how to split the syllables of “backfire”.

What is the correct hyphenation for “backfire”? The purpose of hyphenation is to separate a word such as "backfire" because otherwise it would be too long and would no longer fit on one line. This separation not only saves space it improves the visually flow of the text. This word separation exists in most languages. In English, the word separation of “backfire” is based on the speech syllables. The separating syllable in linguistics is therefore the smallest group of sounds in the natural flow of speech. As a separator, the classic hyphen is usually used: „backfire“ ⟶ „back-fire“.

Hyphens are occasionally used to denote syllabification, as in syl-la-bi-fi-ca-tion. Various British and North American dictionaries use an interpunct, sometimes called a "middle dot" or "hyphenation point", for this purpose, as in syl·la·bi·fi·ca·tion. This allows the hyphen to be reserved only for places where a hard hyphen is intended (for example, self-con·scious, un·self-con·scious, long-stand·ing). Similarly, hyphens may be used to indicate how a word is being or should be spelled. For example, W-O-R-D spells "word".

Definitions of "backfire"

backfire >> /ˈbækˌfaɪ(ə)r/

Definition: [intransitive verb] (of an engine) undergo a mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust.
Example: a car backfired in the road

Synonyms of "backfire"

misfire |

Definition: [intransitive verb] (of a plan or action) rebound adversely on the originator; have the opposite effect to what was intended.
Example: overzealous publicity backfired on her

Synonyms of "backfire"

rebound | boomerang | come back | have an adverse effect |

Definition: [noun] A mistimed explosion in the cylinder or exhaust of a vehicle or engine.
Example: once the engine is running smoothly, a backfire can be dramatic

Definition: [noun] A fire set intentionally to arrest the progress of an approaching fire by creating a burned area in its path, thus depriving the fire of fuel.
Example: Fires were initially started as backfires to blacken areas adjacent to firelines.