backward slash

Windows path separator

A backward slash is the punctuation mark \ that leans to the left, distinguishing it from the forward slash /.

The term is a common informal name for what's technically called a backslash.

It appears primarily in computing contexts—file paths in Windows, programming syntax, and escape characters: C:\Users\Documents.

computing

filepath

Address to a file

DOS · command · syntax · delimiter · separator · UNC · network · root · folder · path

typography

glyph

Visual form of character

slant · oblique · stroke · ASCII · symbol · mirror · inverse

Opposites
direction/orientation

backward slashforward slash

Rightward-leaning dividing line

slash · solidus · virgule · stroke

Family

backward, slash, back, ward, backwards, slashed, slashing, slashes, backslash

Familiarity
Top 200,000
Profile
Known to kids · Used worldwide · Timeless · Concrete · Everyday, not technical · Rated G