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liftback

(US, automotive) A variation on the hatchback car body style, with a more gently sloping roofline.

ˈlɪftˌbækDocumented since 1970s1970sGen Xhistorical190 viewsLast reviewed Jun 29, 2026+ Add a definition
🗺️ Regional & Other
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Born ~1973 · no dated citations yet
1973BornToday, 2026
Boomer / counterculture eraSee decade cohort →

Definitions

#1·Apr 27, 2026

(US, automotive) A variation on the hatchback car body style, with a more gently sloping roofline.

Origin: From , modelled on hatchback or similar pre-existing automotive terms. Coined in 1973 by Toyota to describe their Celica model. Origin information sourced from Wiktionary contributors (CC BY-SA 4.0).
For parents

Liftback means: A variation on the hatchback car body style, with a more gently sloping roofline.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

For ESL learners

liftback means: A variation on the hatchback car body style, with a more gently sloping roofline.. Register: neutral, standard English. A common learner mistake is using the word in a register it does not fit, or assuming a single global meaning; native speakers immediately notice when slang appears in formal contexts, so always check the surrounding register before producing it yourself.

Cluster: body
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For specific readers

Liftback means: A variation on the hatchback car body style, with a more gently sloping roofline.. There is no real cause for parental concern; it is descriptive vocabulary rather than risky behaviour. If your teen uses it, context will usually make the intent clear. A short, curious question about where they heard it is usually all that is needed to know whether to follow up.

Why is this section here?

Slang is read by different audiences for very different reasons. The For parents view re-explains the term in plain, non-judgemental language so a caregiver can understand what their child means without needing the surrounding subculture. The For English learners view focuses on register (when it's safe to use), formal alternatives, and common mistakes — what a textbook won't teach you.

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