background noise

Meaning

This term refers to sounds in your environment that you do not focus on directly, such as traffic, chatter, or music playing softly. In entertainment, people often use TV shows, podcasts, or music as background noise to make a room feel less quiet while they work or clean.

Examples

• I can't study in complete silence, so I usually keep the TV on as background noise.

  I can't study in complete silence, so I usually keep the TV on as background noise.

• Sorry if you hear some background noise; my neighbor is mowing his lawn.

  Sorry if you hear some background noise; my neighbor is mowing his lawn.

• She likes to play lo-fi beats as background noise while she programs.

  She likes to play lo-fi beats as background noise while she programs.

• The coffee shop had too much background noise for me to focus on my reading.

  The coffee shop had too much background noise for me to focus on my reading.

• I put on an old sitcom just for some background noise while I folded the laundry.

  I put on an old sitcom just for some background noise while I folded the laundry.

Common Mistakes

• ✗ I like to listen to some back noise when I work.

  ✓ I like to listen to some background noise when I work.

  The correct term is 'background noise,' not 'back noise.' 'Background' refers to the ambient environment.

• ✗ There are too many background noises in this room.

  ✓ There is too much background noise in this room.

  'Noise' in this context is typically uncountable when referring to a general ambient sound. Use 'much' instead of 'many' and keep 'noise' singular.

Related Expressions

Practice

• I always leave the fan on at night because the ___ helps me fall asleep.

  💡 Ambient sound that fills the silence.

  Show answer

  background noise

• Could you close the window? There's too much ___ from the street.

  💡 Sounds from outside that are distracting.

  Show answer

  background noise