The Oxford Thesaurus An A-Z Dictionary of Synonyms - backgroundn.

1) history, experience, qualifications, credentials, grounding, training; breeding, upbringing, family; curriculum vitae, Colloq CV: His background suits him admirably for the post of ambassador. 2) distance, offing, horizon, obscurity: I like the way the coastline disappears into the background towards the edge of the painting. 3) in the background. inconspicuous, unnoticed, unobtrusive, behind the scenes, out of the limelight or spotlight, unseen, out of the public eye, backstage: Edward prefers to remain in the background, letting his dealer bid at the auctions.