Language Research

background · noun

/ˈbæk.graʊnd/Full view

background (EXPERIENCE)

B1 C a person's education, family and experience of life

Dictionary examples:

The school has pupils from many different ethnic/cultural/religious backgrounds.

They come from a wealthy background.

Learner example:

You can learn a lot about our cultural background. (Preliminary English Test; B1; Japanese)

background (SOUND)

B2 no plural sounds that you can hear that are not the main sounds that you are listening to

Dictionary examples:

background music/noise

If you listen carefully to this piece of music, you can hear a flute in the background.

Learner example:

The exotic food together with oriental music in the background makes you dream of exotic places. (First Certificate in English; B2; German)

background (PICTURE)

B2 C or U the things that can be seen behind the main things or people in a picture

Dictionary examples:

gold stars on a black background

The artist himself did not paint the backgrounds to his pictures - they were done by his pupils.

He has photographed her against lots of different backgrounds.

Learner example:

I think it would make the background of the picture colourful and interesting. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

background (SITUATION)

B2 U or no plural the situation that an event happens in, or things which have happened in the past which affect it

Dictionary examples:

These decisions have had to be taken against a background of high unemployment.

Can you give me some background on the situation?

Learner example:

The background of the story is life in a small town in one of the southern states of the USA in the early 1930s. (First Certificate in English; B2; Polish)

in the background

C2 If a person stays in the background, they try not to be noticed.

Dictionary example:

His father hovered in the background.

Learner example:

But Piggy plays this role in the background because he knows that he won't be accepted. (Certificate of Proficiency in English; C2; German)