noun

back order

BAK OR-duh

Back order (noun) means an order for goods that a seller has accepted but cannot ship yet because the item is out of stock, and which will be sent once new stock arrives. Example: “The boots are on back order until the end of the month.”

noun

An order for goods that a seller has accepted but cannot ship yet because the item is out of stock, and which will be sent once new stock arrives.

"The boots are on back order until the end of the month."

"We are sitting on a back order of two hundred units."

verb

To place or accept an order for an item that is currently out of stock, for delivery when it becomes available.

"They back-ordered the part rather than cancelling the repair."

"You can back order it now and we will charge you on dispatch."

How to Use Back order

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishAn order you have paid for or placed that the shop cannot send until it gets more stock.

When to use it

Commercial and retail. Written as two words as a noun and usually hyphenated as a verb.

Memory tip

American English often writes it as one word, backorder.

Easily confused with

backlog → pre-order → out of stock

Common pairings

on back order back order status clear the back orders back-ordered item

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The boots are on _____ until the end of the month.

Synonyms

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backlog pending order unfilled order

Related Words

backlog stockpile

Rhymes for back order

order border disorder recorder camcorder tricorder

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a back order and a pre-order?

A pre-order is for something that has not been released yet, so nobody has it. A back order is for something already on sale that the seller has temporarily run out of. In both cases you pay or commit first and receive later.

How long does a back order usually take?

It depends entirely on the supplier's restock date, which is why good sellers give an estimated availability date rather than a shipping date. If no date is offered, ask for one before committing, since back orders can sit for months.

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