Definition

Noun: - Supplementary material at the end of a book: "Back matter" refers to the sections of a book that follow the main body of the text. This material provides additional information, references, or data related to the book's content.

Usage

• The term "back matter" is used in publishing and academic contexts to describe the collective parts of a book that appear after the conclusion of the primary narrative or argument.
• It is typically contrasted with "front matter" (preliminary pages like the preface and table of contents) and the "main text" or "body matter."

Examples

Advanced Usage

• "To consult the back matter": To look up information in the sections at the end of a book.
  • If you're unsure about a historical date mentioned in chapter five, consult the chronology in the back matter.

Variants and Related Words

• End matter: A synonym for "back matter."
• Appendix (Appendices): A common component of back matter, containing supplementary material.
• Bibliography: A list of sources cited, often found in the back matter.
• Index: An alphabetical listing of topics and page numbers, a standard part of back matter.
• Colophon: A publisher's imprint, sometimes included in the back matter.

Synonyms

• End matter
• Reference matter
• Supplementary material

Related Phrases

• Front matter: The material at the beginning of a book (e.g., title page, preface).
• Body matter: The main textual content of a book.

Noun

1. written matter following the main text of a book