Backlight
//ˈbæk.laɪt// noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 Light shining from a source behind the object of interest or attention. uncountable
"The backlight from the sunset cast the pier and the crowd in silhouette."
- 2 Light shining from a source behind the object of interest or attention.; A spotlight that illuminates a photographic subject from behind. countable
- 3 Light shining from a source behind the object of interest or attention.; Light that is behind a photographic subject. uncountable
"If I do use backlight, it's not to separate the subject from the background; I use it to set a psychological mood, or to create a look."
- 4 Light shining from a source behind the object of interest or attention.; A light attached to an LCD display. countable
- 5 The rear window of a motor car. countable
Verb
- 1 To illuminate something from behind. transitive
"It offers few subtleties, but those can be effective, as when the chorus is backlighted in the rear of the auditorium to produce an ominous play of shadows onstage."
Example
More examples"The backlight from the sunset cast the pier and the crowd in silhouette."
Etymology
From back + light.
Related phrases
More for "backlight"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.