back-formation UK /ˌbæk.fɔːˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/US /ˌbæk.foɹˈmeɪ̯.ʃən/ noun2 •The process by which a new word is formed from an older word by interpreting the former as a derivative of the latter, often by removing a morpheme (real or perceived) from the older word, such as the verb burgle, formed by removing -ar (perceived as an agent-noun suffix) from burglar. •A word created in this way.Back-formations, such as tambour (for “play the tambourine”), are a staple of comedic wordplay. formsback formations · back-formations