background
gb/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/ us/bˈækɡɹˌaʊnd/
A2
English
~ 1500
Senses
0 senses
Noun
A2
entity
1
area behind main subject
The area behind the main person or thing in a picture or view.
Usage pattern:
[something] 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.
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.)
Collocations
in the background
|background noise
|faded background
Themes
art
|photography
|visual_media
|arts_entertainment
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was a mountain range in the background of the photo.
- She could hear music playing softly in the background.
- The logo appears against a blue background.
Learner examples
- There is a tree in the background.
- I see a house in the background.
- The man is standing with mountains in the background.
Noun
B1
entity
2
a person's history or experience
The education, work, and family history of a person.
Usage pattern:
[someone]'s background
Common mistake:
Learners may confuse 'background' with 'backdrop' when talking about people. 'Background' for people refers to their history, not scenery.
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.)
Collocations
educational background
|family background
|professional background
Themes
biography
|career
|society
|relationships
|education
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- She has a background in engineering.
- His family background influenced his career choices.
- The job requires someone with a strong academic background.
Learner examples
- I have a background in teaching.
- She comes from a rich family background.
- He has a science background.
Noun
B2
entity
3
circumstances surrounding an event
The situation or facts that help explain an event or idea.
Usage pattern:
[something] against a background of [situation]
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.)
Collocations
against a background of unrest
|historical background
|political background
Themes
context
|events
|politics
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- The talks took place against a background of rising tensions.
- Understanding the historical background is essential to grasping the novel's themes.
- The decision was made against a background of economic uncertainty.
Learner examples
- The story happens against a background of war.
- We need to know the political background.
- He told me the historical background of the city.
Noun
A2
entity
4
ambient noise in surroundings
Quiet sounds you can hear around you that are not important.
Usage pattern:
background [noise/music/sound]
Synonyms
ambience (Refers more generally to mood created by surroundings, not only sound.)
Antonyms
silence (Absence of any sound.)
Collocations
background noise
|background music
|reduce background sound
Themes
sound
|daily_life
|core_vocabulary
Examples
- There was soft jazz playing as background music at the café.
- I can't hear you clearly because of the background noise.
- The hum of traffic formed a constant background sound.
Learner examples
- I like to play music as background noise.
- There is loud background noise in this room.
- I can hear birds as background sound.
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.