contrast
Definitions
verb
- (often foll by with) to distinguish or be distinguished by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities
noun
- distinction or emphasis of difference by comparison of opposite or dissimilar things, qualities, etc (esp in the phrases by contrast, in contrast to distinction or emphasis of difference by comparison of opposite or dissimilar things, qualities, etc (esp in the phrases or with)
- a person or thing showing notable differences when compared with another
- (in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colours, tones, etc
- (of a photographic emulsion) the degree of density measured against exposure used
- the extent to which adjacent areas of an optical image, esp on a television screen or in a photographic negative or print, differ in brightness
- psychology the phenomenon that when two different but related stimuli are presented close together in space and/or time they are perceived as being more different than they really are
Alternative Forms
conˈtrastable adjective conˈtrastably adverb conˈtrasting adjective conˈtrastive adjective conˈtrastively adverbWord Origin
C16: (n): via French from Italian, from contrastare (vb), from Latin contra- against + stare to standSynonyms
View thesaurus entryTranslations
- British English:
contrast
A contrast is a great difference between two or more things....the contrast between town and country.ˈkɒntrɑːst NOUN ...the contrast between town and country. - Spanish:
contraste
nm
- French:
contraste
nm
- German:
Kontrast
nm
- Chinese: 对照 n
- Arabic: تَبايُن n
- Portuguese: contraste nm
- Russian: контраст nm
- Croatian: kontrast nm
- Czech: protiklad nm
- Danish: kontrast nutr
- Dutch: contrast nnt
- Finnish: kontrasti n
- Greek: αντίθεση nf
- Italian: contrasto nm
- Japanese: 相違 n
- Korean: 대조 n
- Norwegian: kontrast nm
- Polish: kontrast nm
- Brazilian Portuguese: contraste nm
- European Spanish:
contraste
nm
- Swedish: kontrast nutr
- Thai: ความแตกต่าง n
- Turkish: zıtlık n
- Vietnamese: sự tương phản n
Usage examples
Taff grinned at the contrast to the austere Crime Correspondent image.
, Riot (1986)will run alongside The English Regional Chair at the Geffrye Museum, offering a contemporary contrast.
Country Life (2005)This is in direct contrast to the Gunners ' recent away form in the Champions League, where they have lost eight of their last 10 matches.
Irish Times (2002)Kevin Pursglove, director of company communications, says less than 5 % of eBay's revenue comes from advertising, in contrast to Yahoo!
Glasgow Herald (2001)Both are constant and loyal, and are emotionally deep -- ironically, in contrast to their material inclinations.
, MOON ASTROLOGY FOR LOVERS (2002)