foreground
/ˈfɔːɡraʊnd/ IELTSAcademic
noun
The part of a picture, scene, or view that is nearest to the viewer and easy to notice first. It is the opposite of the background.
- The child stood in the foreground.
- The flowers are in the foreground of the photo.
verb
To make something more important or more noticeable. This is often used in writing, media, and analysis.
- The report foregrounds customer safety.
- The film foregrounds family conflict.
Adinary Nuance
Foreground is more visual and specific than words like emphasis or focus. Use it when something is brought to the front in a picture, argument, or text. In writing, it often sounds more formal and analytical than simple words like highlight.
In other languages
- Vietnamese
- tiền cảnh
- Spanish
- primer plano
- Chinese
- 前景
- Japanese
- 前景
- Korean
- 전경
Etymology
Foreground comes from Old English roots: fore, meaning 'in front', and ground. It was used in English from the 16th century for art and viewing.
Common phrases
in the foregroundbring into the foregroundforeground the issueforeground a theme
Synonyms
Related words
Frequently asked questions
- Is foreground more formal than highlight?
- Yes. Foreground is usually more formal and often used in writing or analysis.
- What is the difference between foreground and background?
- Foreground is the front part you notice first. Background is the area behind it.
- Can I use foreground as a verb in academic writing?
- Yes. It is common in academic and report writing.
- Is foreground used in everyday speech?
- The noun is common in visual descriptions. The verb is less common in speech.