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in the background

Definition of in the background

: in a position that avoids attracting attention He was a shy man who always tried to keep/stay in the background.

Word by Word Definitions

backgroundplay

: the scenery or ground behind something
: the part of a painting representing what lies behind objects in the foreground
: an image that displays on a computer screen underneath the various available icons and windows

: to provide with background

See the full definition of background

Seen and Heard

What made you want to look up in the background? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

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WORD OF THE DAY

perspicuous

play

clear to the understanding

Words at Play

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When To Use 'Specious' vs. 'Spurious'

These similar words are not interchangeable

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Quick: Read This!

'Quick' once had a very different meaning

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'Pride': The Word That Went From Vice to Strength

Do you take pride in Pride?

Pink: The Color that Will Change Your Life

From Fuchsia to Baker-Miller Pink

Ask the Editors

Is it wrong to use 'decimate' to mean 'destroy'?

Language changes

The Serial Comma

Why don't they call it the Merriam-Webster comma?

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Irregardless

It is in fact a real word (but that doesn't mean you should use it).

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Weird Plurals

One goose, two geese. One moose, two... moose. What's up with that?

Word Games

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June 2017 Words of the Day Quiz

Summer's first WOTD quiz.

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Yearbook Superlatives Quiz

Is that your picture under "Largest Vocabulary"?

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Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

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Word Winder's CrossWinder

Word Winder's CrossWinder

A game of winding words.

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