What does hatchback mean?
A hatchback is a car with a rear door that opens upward, usually as a single hatch that may include the rear window. The body style is especially associated with compact and family cars, where the broad cargo opening and folding rear seats make loading luggage, shopping, or bulky items more convenient than in many sedans. “Hatchback” is used in both British and American English and is a neutral automotive term, although it can describe vehicles of several sizes and levels of performance. The phrase “hot hatchback” has a more specific meaning: a sporty hatchback with powerful engines and performance-oriented handling. The word combines “hatch,” referring to the rear opening, with “back,” indicating the vehicle’s rear. It is useful because it identifies a practical structural feature that distinguishes this body style from other car designs.
nounA car whose rear door swings upward like a hatch, usually including the rear window. Hatchbacks are a common vehicle body style, ranging from small economy cars to larger family models.
- A car with an upward-opening rear hatch, typically forming part of the roof and incorporating the rear window.
"They bought a practical five-door hatchback with plenty of room for the children and their luggage."
"The hatchback was easy to park in the crowded city center."
"Reviewers praised the sports hatchback for its handling and everyday practicality."
The standard plural is “hatchbacks.” In automotive writing, the singular may also be used generically when referring to the vehicle category.
"Several hatchbacks are parked outside the dealership."
A hatchback is named for its defining feature: a rear door that opens upward, often together with the rear window.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does hatchback come from?
The word is a modern English compound formed from “hatch” and “back.” “Hatch” comes through Old French from a Germanic word associated with a door or gate, while “back” refers to the rear of a vehicle. The compound developed as a description for cars with an upward-opening rear door, and related terms such as “hack” and “hatchet” reflect the same Germanic or Old French verbal root associated with cutting or making openings.
How hatchback is actually used
The term is standard in British and American English and is generally neutral, though automotive contexts may distinguish a hatchback from a sedan, liftback, or station wagon. The expression “hot hatchback” specifically refers to a sporty or high-performance hatchback rather than to the body style in general.
Easily confused with hatchback
A hatchback is a type of car, whereas a hatchet is a small hand tool with a heavy blade used for chopping.