WordGarden.iopiggyback
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪɡɪbˌæk/
US
- /ˈpɪɡiˌbæk/
Meanings
Noun
a ride on another person's back or shoulders
Verb
to carry someone on one's back or shoulders, or to ride that way
to use or attach to something existing in order to gain support, movement, or advantage
Beyond the definition
Picture a tired child asking for a ride on a parent's back. That is the basic image behind "piggyback." But in everyday English, the word is also used in a wider way. It often means using something that is already there for support, or adding one thing to another so it can go along with it.
For example, a small company might piggyback on a big event to get noticed. Someone might piggyback a quick question onto the end of a meeting. In both cases, they are not starting fresh. They are using an existing situation, system, or chance to help carry something else.
The word "piggyback" first brings to mind a simple scene: one person riding on another person's back. A child getting carried home is the clearest example, and that literal meaning is still common.
From there, the word has developed several figurative uses. Most often, it means using something already in place to support something else. A new feature can piggyback on an existing system instead of needing a whole new one. A marketing campaign can piggyback on a big public event to get more attention. A speaker can piggyback one extra point onto a discussion that is already happening. In each case, the idea is the same: one thing is being carried, helped, or moved forward by another.
"Piggyback" can sound neutral or smart when it suggests efficiency and good timing. But sometimes it can sound slightly negative if it suggests that someone is relying too much on another person's work, success, or access.
So the word can describe both a real ride on someone's back and a more abstract act of building on, attaching to, or taking advantage of something that already exists.
Examples
- 1
Child ride
The little boy asked his dad for a piggyback ride.
- 2
Helping someone
She was too tired to walk, so her brother gave her a piggyback.
- 3
Event publicity
The charity event piggybacked on the town festival and attracted a much bigger crowd.
- Patternpiggyback on + event/system/success
use it to help another thing
- 4
Discussion
Can I piggyback on your idea and add one more suggestion?
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Software update
The update piggybacks on the existing security system, so users do not need a new app.
- 6
Advertising trends
Some advertisers try to piggyback off popular trends without adding anything new.
- Usagepiggyback off + trend/event
a more informal way to say piggyback on + trend/event
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- piggybacknounverbadjectiveadverb
Forms
- piggybacking-ing formverbnounadverb
- piggybackedpast tenseverbnounadverb
- piggybacksverbnounadverb