Word
framing
Phoneticsfram·ing, stress on the first syllable
US/ˈfɹeɪmɪŋ/
UK/fɹˈeɪmɪŋ/
Definitions
01physical structure
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the wooden or metal structure that supports a building or object.
n. the internal supporting structure or framework of a building, vehicle, or object.
“The workers finished the steel framing of the new house before the rain started.”
“The architect insisted on timber framing for the extension to ensure it remained consistent with the original seventeenth-century construction.”
02mounting a picture
B2 · Upper Intermediate Uncountable noun
n. the act of putting a border around a picture or photograph.
n. the process or style of fitting a decorative or protective border around a visual work.
“Professional framing can be very expensive, but it makes the artwork look much better.”
“The gallery chose a minimalist style of framing to ensure that the ornate details of the painting remained the primary focus for viewers.”
03presenting an idea
C1 · Advanced Uncountable noun Academic
n. the way you describe a situation to make people see it in a certain way.
n. the conceptual act of presenting information in a specific context to influence how it is interpreted or evaluated.
“The politician's framing of the tax cut as a 'gift to families' helped it become popular.”
“The media's framing of the environmental crisis shifted from a distant scientific concern to an immediate economic threat over the last decade.”
Usage
Often used in political or psychological contexts to describe how a narrative is shaped.
Teaching tip
This is a common term in media studies and politics; it suggests that the 'frame' determines what the audience notices and what they ignore.
Synonyms
Real-World Examples
“Ross McElwee is the film-maker who spun home movies into art, framing himself and his friends and his son Adrian.” “Using the march as the linking framing device feels too neat, but it also gives Badawy a heart-tugging, romcom-style ending.” “Ghirri had a knack for framing playful and surreal scenes.” Word family
NOUN
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.B2 FirstIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.5.5–6.5TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 4.0–4.572–94TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.785–944
- Frequency
- Frequent
- Level
- B2 · Upper Intermediate
- Updated
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