background
BAK-rownd
Background (noun) means the part of a scene or image that lies behind the main subject. Example: “A mountain rose in the background as the family posed for a picture.”
noun
1
The part of a scene or image that lies behind the main subject.
"A mountain rose in the background as the family posed for a picture."
"The dog was blurry in the background of the video."
"You can see the cathedral in the background of the photo."
2
A person's history, education, or experience.
"His background in teaching helped him explain things clearly."
"People from many different backgrounds attended the meeting."
"She has a background in molecular biology."
adj
1
Less prominent or noticeable; running behind the main action.
"A background hum from the fridge was all I could hear."
"The app runs background tasks while you use your phone."
"Soft background music played throughout the reception."
verb
1
To gather relevant background information on a person or subject.
"The reporter backgrounded the candidate before the interview."
"Before the interview, the producer backgrounded the guest by reading all her earlier articles."
"I spent an hour backgrounding the company before applying for the job."
How to use background
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishThe setting behind the main subject in a picture, or a person's history and experience.
Common pairings
professional background
background check
background noise
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Word forms
- Third person singular
- backgrounds
- Past tense
- backgrounded
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A mountain rose in the _____ as the family posed for a picture.
Etymology
From back + ground.
Synonyms
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Related words
Rhymes for background
See all rhymes for background →Frequently asked questions
What does “background” mean?
The word “background” means the part of a scene or image that lies behind the main subject. In plain terms, the setting behind the main subject in a picture, or a person's history and experience.
How do you pronounce “background”?
“Background” is pronounced BAK-rownd (/ˈbæk(ɡ)ɹaʊnd/ in IPA).
How do you use “background” in a sentence?
Here is “background” used in a sentence: “You can see the cathedral in the background of the photo.”
What is the opposite of “background”?
The opposite of “background” — its antonyms — are conspicuous, foreground, forestanding, primary and prominent.
What part of speech is “background”?
Depending on how it is used, “background” can be a noun, an adjective and a verb.
Is “background” a common word?
“Background” is a very common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
How many meanings does “background” have?
“Background” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of a scene or image that lies behind the main subject.
What is the difference between background and foreground?
They are opposites within a scene. The foreground is the part nearest the viewer, where the main subject usually sits. The background is what lies furthest away, behind that subject. In photography and design, keeping the two distinct, with a sharp subject against a softer background, helps the main subject stand out.
What are the other meanings of "background"?
Beyond the visual sense, "background" can mean a person's history and circumstances, such as their education, family, or work experience. It can also mean the information and context surrounding an event, as in background reading, or something happening out of focus, as in a process that runs in the background on a computer.
How do you make a subject stand out from the background?
Photographers often blur the background, an effect called bokeh, so the eye settles on the sharp subject. Strong contrast in colour or brightness helps too, as does good lighting and separation between subject and backdrop. In design, a plain or muted background keeps attention on the foreground content.
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