word-vault

{ "term": "background", "partOfSpeech": "noun", "ox3000": true, "cefr": "a2", "definitions": [ { "senseNumber": 1, "definition": "the details of a person’s family, education, experience, etc.", "sensetop": "background in something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "somebody's **ethnic/genetic/cultural background**" }, { "text": "somebody's family/educational background" }, { "text": "The job would suit someone with a business background." }, { "text": "We come from very different backgrounds but we get on well." }, { "text": "She has a background in journalism.", "contextForm": "background in something" }, { "text": "In the future, we will require **background checks** on airport employees." }, { "text": "In spite of their very different backgrounds, they immediately became friends." }, { "text": "Can you tell me something about your family background?" }, { "text": "Children from a military background often move around a lot." }, { "text": "Even people with a technical background will struggle to understand some of the jargon." }, { "text": "He came from a very privileged background." }, { "text": "Her academic background includes a degree in education." }, { "text": "Her background was in biology and medicine." }, { "text": "I think we get on well because we're from similar backgrounds." }, { "text": "It is important to have a broad educational background." }, { "text": "She wanted to know about his criminal background." }, { "text": "The students are drawn from very mixed social backgrounds." }, { "text": "We work with clients from diverse backgrounds." }, { "text": "She is an economist with a background in business." }, { "text": "I work with children from deprived backgrounds." }, { "text": "Discrimination on the basis of race, sex or social background will not be tolerated." }, { "text": "The classes are designed for students with a background in history or theology." } ], "topics": ["Family and relationships", "People in society"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["family", "broad", "different"], "verb + background": ["come from", "have", "be drawn from"], "background + verb": ["be in something"], "background + noun": ["check"], "preposition": [ "from a background", "with a background", "background in" ], "phrases": ["a range of backgrounds", "a variety of backgrounds"] } }, { "senseNumber": 2, "definition": "the circumstances or past events that help explain why something is how it is; information about these", "sensetop": "background to somethingagainst a background of somethingbackground on something", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "I'm including a little **background information** on the situation." }, { "text": "The book explains the complex **historical background** to the war.", "contextForm": "background to something" }, { "text": "The elections are taking place against a background of violence.", "contextForm": "against a background of something" }, { "text": "Our reporter can now provide more background on this story.", "contextForm": "background on something" }, { "text": "Can you give me more background on the company?" }, { "text": "Against that general background, let me give you a more detailed view of current practice." }, { "text": "The book provides the background to the revolution." }, { "text": "Those discussions formed the background to the decision." } ], "collocations": { "adjective": ["general", "factual", "cultural"], "verb + background": ["describe", "explain", "give (somebody)"], "background + noun": ["briefing", "info", "information"], "preposition": [ "against the background", "background to", "background of" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 3, "definition": "the part of a picture, photograph or view behind the main objects, people, etc.", "sensetop": "in the backgroundagainst the… background", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "a photograph with trees in the background", "contextForm": "in the background" }, { "text": "A shadowy figure is visible in the background of the scene." }, { "text": "The areas of water stood out against the dark background.", "contextForm": "against the… background" }, { "text": "The mountains in the background were capped with snow." }, { "text": "The wolves' coats turn white to match their snowy background." } ], "topics": ["Art"], "collocations": { "adjective": ["black", "blue", "grey/gray"], "verb + background": ["blend in with", "match"], "background + noun": ["colour/color"], "preposition": [ "against a/the background", "in the background", "on a/the background" ] } }, { "senseNumber": 4, "definition": "a position in which people are not paying attention to somebody/something or not as much attention as they are paying to somebody/something else", "sensetop": "in the background", "cefr": "a2", "ox3000": true, "examples": [ { "text": "The camerawork, the **background music** and the locations all contribute to the mood of the film." }, { "text": "There was a lot of **background noise** *(= that you could hear, but were not listening to)*." }, { "text": "background radiation" }, { "text": "He prefers to remain in the background and let his assistant talk to the press.", "contextForm": "in the background" }, { "text": "A piano was playing gently in the background." }, { "text": "Danger was always lurking in the background." }, { "text": "The issue has recently faded into the background." }, { "text": "After the first scene, his character is relegated to the background." }, { "text": "There was a radio on in the background." }, { "text": "I could see my secretary hovering in the background." }, { "text": "He had learned how to melt invisibly into the background." }, { "text": "The dispute over the new contract allowed her other problems to fade into the background." }, { "text": "The signal was very clear, with no background hiss or distortion." }, { "text": "We were provided with soft lights and a tranquil background." } ], "collocations": { "verb + background": ["blend into", "fade into", "melt into"], "background + noun": ["music", "noise", "radiation"], "preposition": ["in the background"] } }, { "senseNumber": 5, "definition": "a colour or design on which something is painted, drawn, etc.", "sensetop": "on a… backgroundagainst a… background", "examples": [ { "text": "The name of the company is written in red on a white background.", "contextForm": "on a… background" }, { "text": "Most paintings look good against a neutral background colour.", "contextForm": "against a… background" } ] }, { "senseNumber": 6, "definition": "used to refer to tasks or processes that the user is not actively working on at the present time", "sensetop": "in the background", "examples": [ { "text": "Programs can be left running in the background.", "contextForm": "in the background" }, { "text": "Find and kill unwanted background processes like viruses and trojans." } ] }, { "senseNumber": null, "definition": "to behave quietly when you are with a group of people so that they do not notice you", "examples": [] } ], "pronunciations": { "uk": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈbækɡraʊnd/", "audio": "ba/background/background__gb_1.mp3" } ], "us": [ { "pronunciation": "/ˈbækɡraʊnd/", "audio": "ba/background/background__us_1.mp3" } ] }, "wordOrigin": null }