Back Stairs

A2 8+

Pronunciation: /bæk sterz/

Definitions of back stairs

noun a staircase at the rear of a building

Example Sentences

A1 I use the back stairs to go up to my apartment.

A2 The back stairs are a quicker way to get to the garden.

B1 The back stairs were narrow and steep, making it difficult to carry the boxes up.

B2 She slipped and fell on the back stairs, injuring her ankle.

C1 The back stairs were hidden behind a secret door, leading to a hidden room.

C2 The back stairs were adorned with beautiful artwork, making the ascent a delight for the eyes.

adjective describing the location of the stairs at the back of the building

Example Sentences

A1 I took the back stairs because the elevator was broken.

A2 She found a shortcut using the back stairs to get to her office faster.

B1 The back stairs were narrow and poorly lit, making them difficult to navigate.

B2 The back stairs were hidden behind a door marked 'Employees Only'.

C1 The back stairs provided a discreet way for the guests to leave the party without being noticed.

C2 The back stairs had a spiral design, adding a touch of elegance to the building's architecture.

Examples of back stairs in a Sentence

formal She elegantly descended the back stairs of the mansion.

informal Let's take the back stairs to avoid the crowded main staircase.

slang We snuck out through the back stairs to avoid getting caught.

figurative He always takes the back stairs in life, avoiding the spotlight and preferring to stay behind the scenes.

Grammatical Forms of back stairs

plural

back stairs

comparative

more back stairs

superlative

most back stairs

present tense

back stairs

future tense

will back stairs

perfect tense

have back stairs

continuous tense

is back stairs

singular

back stair

positive degree

back stairs

infinitive

to back stairs

gerund

back stairing

participle

back stairing

Origin and Evolution of back stairs

First Known Use: 1601 year
Language of Origin: English
Story behind the word: The term 'back stairs' originated in Europe, specifically in large estates or palaces where there were separate staircases for servants to use in order to access the upper floors without disturbing the main household.
Evolution of the word: Over time, the usage of 'back stairs' has evolved to refer to any secondary or less visible staircase in a building, not necessarily limited to servant use. It has also taken on a metaphorical meaning to imply secretive or covert actions or pathways.