background
gb/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/ us/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/
A2
English
~ 1500
háttér, kontextus, háttérzaj, háttérzene
NOUN
A2
1
háttér
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] in the background
There was a mountain range in the background of the photo.
A fénykép hátterében egy hegylánc látszott.
She could hear music playing softly in the background.
Halkan zene szólt a háttérben.
The logo appears against a blue background.
Learner examples
There is a tree in the background.
Egy fa van a háttérben.
I see a house in the background.
Egy házat látok a háttérben.
The man is standing with mountains in the background.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'background' with 'backyard', but 'background' refers to what is behind something in an image or scene, not the outdoor area behind a house.
Meaning
area behind main subject
Collocations
in the background
|background noise
|faded background
Synonyms
backdrop (Often used for theater or staged settings, less for casual photos.)
Antonyms
foreground (Refers to the part of a scene closest to the viewer, opposite of background.)
Themes
art
|photography
|visual_media
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The area behind the main person or thing in a picture or view.
The part of a view, photograph, or design that appears furthest from the viewer, behind the main subject.
NOUN
B1
2
háttér
B1
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s background
She has a background in engineering.
Mérnöki háttérrel rendelkezik.
His family background influenced his career choices.
A családi háttere befolyásolta a pályaválasztását.
The job requires someone with a strong academic background.
Learner examples
I have a background in teaching.
Van tanári tapasztalatom.
She comes from a rich family background.
Gazdag családi háttérből származik.
He has a science background.
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'background' with 'backdrop' when talking about people. 'Background' for people refers to their history, not scenery.
Meaning
a person's history or experience
Collocations
educational background
|family background
|professional background
Synonyms
history (General term for past events; less specific to qualifications or upbringing.)
Antonyms
future (Refers to what is ahead rather than what is past.)
Themes
biography
|career
|society
|relationships
|education
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The education, work, and family history of a person.
A person's education, work experience, and family circumstances that influence who they are.
NOUN
B2
3
Usage pattern:
[something] against a background of [situation]
The talks took place against a background of rising tensions.
A tárgyalások növekvő feszültségek hátterében zajlottak.
Understanding the historical background is essential to grasping the novel's themes.
A történelmi háttér megértése elengedhetetlen ahhoz, hogy felfogjuk a regény témáit.
The decision was made against a background of economic uncertainty.
Learner examples
The story happens against a background of war.
A történet a háború hátterében játszódik.
We need to know the political background.
Ismernünk kell a politikai hátteret.
He told me the historical background of the city.
Meaning
circumstances surrounding an event
Collocations
against a background of unrest
|historical background
|political background
Synonyms
context (More general term for surrounding circumstances; may not imply history.)
Antonyms
foreground (Used figuratively to mean the most important or noticeable part, opposite of background context.)
Themes
context
|events
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Definition
The situation or facts that help explain an event or idea.
The situation or set of events that provide context for something to happen or be understood.
NOUN
A2
4
háttérzaj
B1
háttérzene
B1
Usage pattern:
background [noise/music/sound]
There was soft jazz playing as background music at the café.
A kávézóban lágy dzsessz szólt háttérzeneként.
I can't hear you clearly because of the background noise.
Nem hallak jól a háttérzaj miatt.
The hum of traffic formed a constant background sound.
Learner examples
I like to play music as background noise.
Szeretek zenét hallgatni háttérzajként.
There is loud background noise in this room.
Ebben a szobában hangos háttérzaj van.
I can hear birds as background sound.
Meaning
ambient noise in surroundings
Collocations
background noise
|background music
|reduce background sound
Synonyms
ambience (Refers more generally to mood created by surroundings, not only sound.)
Antonyms
silence (Absence of any sound.)
Themes
sound
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Quiet sounds you can hear around you that are not important.
Any sound that is present in a setting but not the main focus of attention.
Grammar
Dictionary form
background
IPA
GB/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/
US/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/
Syllables & stress
back - ground (2 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (back)
Word forms
Noun
- Base: background
- Plural: background, backgrounds
Word family
Expressions
against a background of [something]
1/əɡˈɛnst ə bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd əv sˈʌmθɪŋ/
fixed phrase
happening with certain conditions as context
Happening while certain conditions or events are present.
Examples
- The speech was delivered against a background of political unrest.
- The novel unfolds against a background of war and poverty.
background check
1/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd t͡ʃˈɛk/
fixed phrase
investigation into personal history
When someone looks at your past work, education, and records to check if information is true.
Examples
- All new employees must pass a background check.
- The landlord ran a background check before renting the apartment.
in the background
1/ˈɪn ðə bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/
fixed phrase
behind or less noticeable
Behind something or not very noticeable compared to other things.
Examples
- In the photo, you can see mountains in the background.
- He prefers to stay in the background and let others lead.