foreground

The part of a picture or view that seems closest to you.

• The flowers are in the foreground.
• A dark tree fills the painting's foreground.
• Keep the foreground sharp when taking this photograph.

How to use it: in the foreground of something (A dog sits in the foreground of the photograph.)

Opposites: background

Common phrases: in the foreground, foreground detail, foreground objects

To put something at the front of a picture or make it especially noticeable or important.

• The report foregrounds children's needs.
• The artist foregrounded a single red flower.
• Her novel foregrounds the experiences of factory workers.

Similar words: highlight, emphasize, bring forward

Opposites: background

Common phrases: foreground an issue, foreground someone's experience, foreground a figure