background
ˈbækˌgraʊnd
background: part of a scene behind the main subject
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Definition Synonyms Conjugation

Definition of background - Reverso English Dictionary

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Noun

1.
visualpart of a scene behind the main subject
  • The mountains formed a stunning background.
backdrop setting
2.
personal historyperson's past experiences or history
  • His background in engineering helped him solve the problem..
biography history record
3.
contextsetting or situation where events occur
  • The movie's background was set in medieval Europe..
context environment setting

Verb

tr.
1.
explanationgive context or history for something
  • The lecturer backgrounded the theory with historical events..
contextualize explain orient
2.
positioningplace in a position that is not prominent
  • The director decided to background the less important characters.
downplay relegate sideline
3.
journalismcollect and share context about a person, event, or topic
  • The reporter was tasked to background the new policy.
brief contextualize inform
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Images of background

  • background: part of a scene behind the main subject
    part of a scene behind the main subject
  • background: image or color behind desktop items
    image or color behind desktop items

Expressions with background

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confidential information not for publication, often from unnamed sources
The reporter received details on deep background.
show context or situation surrounding an event or action
The decision was made against a background of economic crisis.
avoid attention by not standing out
She tried to blend into the background during the meeting.
become less noticeable or important
As the main speaker began, the assistant faded into the background.
blend in and become less noticeable
He tried to melt into the background at the party.
blend in and become unnoticeable
He tried to merge into the background during the meeting.

Origin of background

English, back (rear) + ground (surface)

Terms with background included in their meaning

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ancestry
family history or background
background info
section of a website with background information
music
singer who provides background vocals
wealthy background
child from a wealthy family
tabbyadj.
cats
brindled with dark stripes on a lighter background
technology
background image on a computer screen
identity
ask about cultural or ethnic background
device display art
background image on a device screen

Examples of background in a sentence

  • A soft background of trees framed the portrait.
  • Her background in medicine made her a valuable team member.
  • They checked his background before hiring him.
  • The background of the story was a bustling city.
  • The painting had a serene background of mountains.
  • She provided background on the company's history.

View all translations of background

Click below to see the appropriate translations facing each meaning.
  1. French:arrière-plan, contextualiser, ...
  2. German:Hintergrund, kontextualisieren, ...
  3. Italian:sfondo, fornire contesto, ...
  4. Spanish:fondo, dar contexto, ...
  5. Portuguese:fundo, dar contexto, ...
  6. Chinese:背景, 提供背景, ...
  7. Japanese:背景, 背景を提供する, ...
  8. Arabic:خَلْفِيَّة, قَدَّمَ خَلْفِيَّة, ...
  9. Hebrew:רֶקַע, לְסַפֵּק רֶקַע, ...
  10. Russian:фон, предоставлять контекст, ...
  11. Ukrainian:фон, забезпечувати фон, ...
  12. Hindi:पृष्ठभूमि, पृष्ठभूमि प्रदान करना, ...
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