backdrop

Pluralbackdrops

Formsbackdrops, backdropping, backdropped

1. 1
   nounfigurativelycountable

   The general situation that is happening while something else takes place.

   Like the painted scene behind actors on a stage: not the main story, but it changes how everything feels.

   The meeting took place against a backdrop of angry protests.

   Money problems were the backdrop to their argument.

   Similarbackground, context, setting

   Note
2. 2
   nouncountable

   A large painted cloth that hangs at the back of a stage to show a scene.

   The backdrop showed a forest with tall green trees.

   Students painted a city backdrop for the school play.

   Similarbackcloth

   Note
3. 3
   nouncountable

   The place and time where the action of a play or movie happens.

   The movie uses 1920s Paris as its backdrop.

   War is the backdrop for the whole play.

   Similarsetting, background, scene

4. 4
   nouncountable

   A picture used as the background behind something on a screen or in a photo.

   She picked a beach photo as the backdrop for her phone screen.

   During video calls, a blurry mountain backdrop hid his messy room.

   Similarbackground

5. 5
   verbtransitive

   To be the background that you see behind something.

   Tall mountains backdrop the little town.

   A bright orange sunset backdropped the couple in their wedding photos.

   Similarframe

   Note

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