Background
Background noun - The physical conditions or features that form the setting against which something is viewed.
Material and background are semantically related. In some cases you can use "Material" instead a noun "Background".
Material
Material noun - The basic elements from which something can be developed.
Background and material are semantically related. Sometimes you can use "Background" instead a noun "Material".
How words are described
Both words in one sentence
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Hopeless Masquerade features almost every character from the Windows games (and the supplementary material), if not as a player character, then as a spectator in the background.
Source: Video Game / Touhou -
Oddly enough, he's the only character who comes from a military background in his source material whose rank is mentioned in this game.
Source: Video Game / Broforce -
Ascended Extra: With how much Expanded Universe material is being written, we're well on our way to every single background character from the films getting names and thorough backstories.
Source: Franchise / Star Wars
Cite this Source
Material and Background. (2016). Retrieved 2026, July 21, from https://thesaurus.plus/related/background/material
Background & Material. N.p., 2016. Web. 21 Jul. 2026. <https://thesaurus.plus/related/background/material>.
Material or Background. 2016. Accessed July 21, 2026. https://thesaurus.plus/related/background/material.
Google Ngram Viewer shows how "background" and "material" have occurred on timeline