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noun Uncommon

foreground

FAW-grownd

Foreground (noun) means the part of a picture or scene that is closest to the viewer. Example: “A red barn stands out in the foreground of the painting.”

noun
1
The part of a picture or scene that is closest to the viewer.
"A red barn stands out in the foreground of the painting."
verb
1
To give special prominence or emphasis to something.
"The documentary foregrounds the experiences of ordinary workers."

How to use foreground

Learner’s notes

In plain EnglishThe part of an image nearest to you, or to bring something to the center of attention.

Easily confused with
Common pairings
in the foreground foreground of the image

Word forms

foregrounded past tense, foregrounds plural, foregrounds singular

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A red barn stands out in the _____ of the painting.

Etymology

From fore- + ground.

Related words

Rhymes for foreground

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Frequently asked questions

What does “foreground” mean?

The word “foreground” means the part of a picture or scene that is closest to the viewer. In plain terms, the part of an image nearest to you, or to bring something to the center of attention.

How do you pronounce “foreground”?

“Foreground” is pronounced FAW-grownd (/ˈfɔː(ɹ)ˌɡɹaʊnd/ in IPA).

How do you use “foreground” in a sentence?

Here is “foreground” used in a sentence: “A red barn stands out in the foreground of the painting.”

What part of speech is “foreground”?

Depending on how it is used, “foreground” can be a noun and a verb.

Is “foreground” a common word?

“Foreground” is an uncommon word in modern English.

How many meanings does “foreground” have?

“Foreground” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: the part of a picture or scene that is closest to the viewer.

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Definitions: FreeDict original editorial