Meaning & use
foreground
The part of a scene, picture, or view that is nearest to and most noticeable by the observer.
See it in a sentence
In the painting, a small red boat sits in the foreground of the harbor scene.
Climate change moved to the foreground of the election after the summer's record heat.
A note on using this word
Foreground is used literally in art and photography and figuratively to mean the most prominent or urgent issue in a discussion.
Words with a similar meaning
This term is best learned through its definition and examples.
Choose a synonym to suit the sentence. Meanings can overlap without being identical.
Words with an opposite meaning
Another way to use it
2. verb
To give particular emphasis or prominence to something in a discussion or work.
The documentary foregrounds the voices of workers rather than company executives.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “foreground”, then compare your use with the examples above.