Word Explorer

Background

/ˈbæk.ɡɹaʊnd/

One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.

Full Dictionary Entry

📖 Definitions of "Background"

noun

1
One's social heritage, or previous life; what one did in the past.
"The lawyer had a background in computer science."
2
A part of the picture that depicts scenery to the rear or behind the main subject; context.
3
Information relevant to the current situation about past events; history.
4
A less important feature of scenery (as opposed to foreground).
"The photographer let us pick a background for the portrait."

verb

1
To put in a position that is not prominent.
2
To gather and provide background information (on).

adjective

1
Less important or less noticeable in a scene or system.
"The antivirus program runs on a background thread."

🔄 Synonyms of "Background"

10 synonyms found via WordNet and Google Books.

Word	Definition
scopenoun	The breadth, depth or reach of a subject; the extent of applicability or relevance; a domain, purview or remit.
groundnoun	The surface of the Earth, as opposed to the sky or water or underground.
settingnoun	The time, place and circumstance in which something (such as a story or picture) is set; context; scenario.
backdropnoun	The setting or background of an acted performance.
desktopnoun	(computing, graphical user interface) The main graphical user interface of an operating system, usually displaying icons, windows and background wallpaper.
play downverb	(idiomatic, transitive) To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
background knowledgenoun	information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem
backclothnoun	The painted scenery at the back of a stage; the backdrop.
background signalnoun	extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured
screen backgroundnoun	(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear

↔️ Antonyms of "Background"

Words with the opposite meaning.

Word	Definition
highlightverb	(transitive) To make prominent; emphasize.
spotlightnoun	(figurative) The center of attention; the highlight or most important part.
foregroundnoun	(computing, often attributive) The application the user is currently interacting with; the application window that appears in front of all others.
play upverb	(transitive) To make or attempt to make something appear more important, likely, or obvious; to showcase or highlight.

💡 Words with a Similar Meaning to "Background"

Found via reverse dictionary — words that share a conceptual meaning.

Word	Definition
play downverb	(idiomatic, transitive) To make or attempt to make something seem less important, likely, or obvious.
scopenoun	The breadth, depth or reach of a subject; the extent of applicability or relevance; a domain, purview or remit.
settingnoun	The time, place and circumstance in which something (such as a story or picture) is set; context; scenario.
backdropnoun	The setting or background of an acted performance.
backclothnoun	The painted scenery at the back of a stage; the backdrop.
desktopnoun	(computing, graphical user interface) The main graphical user interface of an operating system, usually displaying icons, windows and background wallpaper.
groundnoun	The surface of the Earth, as opposed to the sky or water or underground.
background knowledgenoun	information that is essential to understanding a situation or problem
background signalnoun	extraneous signals that can be confused with the phenomenon to be observed or measured
screen backgroundnoun	(computer science) the area of the screen in graphical user interfaces against which icons and windows appear
detailnoun	An individual feature, fact, or other item, considered separately from the whole of which it is a part.
residualnoun	A remainder left over at the end of some process.
thoroughnoun	(UK, dialect) A furrow between two ridges, to drain off the surface water.
depthnoun	the vertical distance below a surface; the degree to which something is deep
in-depth	Thorough; comprehensive.
shadenoun	(uncountable) Darkness where light, particularly sunlight, is blocked.
thoroughly	In a thorough or complete manner.
recallnoun	Memory; the ability to remember.
generalitynoun	(uncountable) The quality of being general.
situationnoun	The combination of circumstances at a given moment; a state of affairs.