contrast
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contrast
to examine differences; a striking exhibition of unlikeness: The contrast of styles intensified the impact of the paintings.
Not to be confused with:
compare – to liken; relate; examine similarities: compare the shades of blue
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
con·trast
(kən-trăst′, kŏn′trăst′)v. con·trast·ed, con·trast·ing, con·trasts
v.tr.
To set in opposition in order to show or emphasize differences: an essay that contrasts city and country life; contrasted this computer with inferior models.
v.intr.
1. To show differences when compared: siblings who contrast sharply in interests and abilities; a color that contrasted clearly with the dark background.
2. Linguistics To evince a difference that can distinguish meaning: Voiced and voiceless stops contrast in English but not in Cree.
n. (kŏn′trăst′)
1.
a. The act of contrasting; a setting off of dissimilar entities or objects.
b. The state of being contrasted: red berries standing in vivid contrast against the snow.
2. A difference, especially a strong dissimilarity, between entities or objects compared: the contrast between Northern and Southern speech patterns.
3. One thing that is strikingly dissimilar to another: My new school was a welcome contrast to the one before.
4. The use of opposing elements, such as colors, forms, or lines, in proximity to produce an intensified effect in a work of art.
5. The difference in brightness between the light and dark areas of a picture, such as a photograph or video image.
6. Linguistics A difference between units, especially one that distinguishes meaning.
[French contraster, from Italian contrastare, from Medieval Latin contrāstāre : Latin contrā-, contra- + Latin stāre, to stand; see stā- in Indo-European roots.]
con·trast′a·ble adj.
con·trast′ing·ly adv.
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
contrast
vb
(often foll by with) to distinguish or be distinguished by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities
n
1. distinction or emphasis of difference by comparison of opposite or dissimilar things, qualities, etc (esp in the phrases by contrast, in contrast to or with)
2. a person or thing showing notable differences when compared with another
3. (Art Terms) (in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colours, tones, etc
4. (Photography)
a. (of a photographic emulsion) the degree of density measured against exposure used
b. 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
5. (Psychology) psychol 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
[C16: (n): via French from Italian, from contrastare (vb), from Latin contra- against + stare to stand]
conˈtrastable adj
conˈtrastably adv
conˈtrasting adj
conˈtrastive adj
conˈtrastively adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
con•trast
(v. kənˈtræst, ˈkɒn træst; n. ˈkɒn træst)v.t.
1. to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite qualities of.
v.i. 2. to exhibit unlikeness on comparison with something else; form a contrast.
3. (of linguistic elements, as speech sounds) to differ in a way that can serve to distinguish meanings.
n. 4. the act of contrasting; the state of being contrasted.
5. a striking exhibition of unlikeness.
6. a person or thing that is strikingly unlike in comparison.
7. opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art.
8. the relative difference between light and dark areas of a photographic print or negative.
9. the brightness ratio of the lightest to the darkest part of a television screen image.
10. a difference between linguistic elements, esp. sounds, that can serve to distinguish meanings.
[1480–90; (v.) < Middle French contraster < Italian contrastare to contest < Latin contrā- contra-1 + stāre to stand; (n.) earlier contraste < French < Italian contrasto conflict, derivative of contrastare]
con•trast′a•ble, adj.
con•trast′a•bly, adv.
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
contrast
Past participle: contrasted
Gerund: contrasting
Imperative |
---|
contrast |
contrast |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
Noun | 1. | contrast - the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared; "in contrast to", "by contrast" oppositeness, opposition - the relation between opposed entities |
2. | contrast - the act of distinguishing by comparing differences comparing, comparison - the act of examining resemblances; "they made a comparison of noise levels"; "the fractions selected for comparison must require pupils to consider both numerator and denominator" | |
3. | contrast - a conceptual separation or distinction; "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity" differentiation, distinction - a discrimination between things as different and distinct; "it is necessary to make a distinction between love and infatuation" point of no return, Rubicon - a line that when crossed permits of no return and typically results in irrevocable commitment | |
4. | contrast - the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors | |
5. | contrast - the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness) photography, picture taking - the act of taking and printing photographs ambit, range, scope, reach, compass, orbit - an area in which something acts or operates or has power or control: "the range of a supersonic jet"; "a piano has a greater range than the human voice"; "the ambit of municipal legislation"; "within the compass of this article"; "within the scope of an investigation"; "outside the reach of the law"; "in the political orbit of a world power" | |
Verb | 1. | contrast - put in opposition to show or emphasize differences; "The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student" differentiate, distinguish, secern, secernate, severalise, severalize, tell apart, separate, tell - mark as different; "We distinguish several kinds of maple" |
2. | contrast - to show differences when compared; be different; "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities" differ - be different; "These two tests differ in only one respect" counterbalance, oppose - contrast with equal weight or force conflict - be in conflict; "The two proposals conflict!" foil - enhance by contrast; "In this picture, the figures are foiled against the background" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
contrast
noun
1. difference, opposition, comparison, distinction, foil, disparity, differentiation, divergence, dissimilarity, contrariety The two women provided a startling contrast in appearance.
verb
1. differentiate, compare, oppose, distinguish, set in opposition She contrasted the situation then with the present crisis.
2. differ, be contrary, be distinct, be at variance, be dissimilar Johnstone's easy charm contrasted with the prickliness of his boss.
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
contrast
nounStriking difference between compared individuals:
The American Heritage® Roget's Thesaurus. Copyright © 2013, 2014 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Translations
إخْتِلاف، تَبايُن، فَرقتَبايُننَقيض، عَكسيُقارِن لِيُظْهِر الفَرق، يُغايِريُناقِض، يَتَبايَن، يَخْتَلِف مَع
být v rozporukontrastopakporovnatprotiklad
kontrastmodsætningsammenligne
kontrasto
kontrasti
kontrast
andstæîabera samanstangast á viî
相違
대조
kontrastaspriešingybėskirtisskirtumassudaryti kontrastą
kontrastētkontrastspretstatītpretstatssalīdzināt
kontrast
nasprotjeprimerjativ nasprotju
kontrast
ความแตกต่าง
sự tương phản
contrast
A. [ˈkɒntrɑːst] N (gen) → contraste m
in contrast to or with → a diferencia de, en contraste con
to form a contrast to or with → contrastar con
in contrast to or with → a diferencia de, en contraste con
to form a contrast to or with → contrastar con
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
contrast
[ˈkɒntræst] n
(= difference) → contraste m
by contrast, in contrast → par contre
in contrast to → contrairement à, par opposition à
by contrast, in contrast → par contre
in contrast to → contrairement à, par opposition à
(in photo, television picture) → contraste m
vi [kənˈtræst] [colour, character] → contraster
to contrast with sth → contraster avec qch, trancher avec qch
to contrast with sth → contraster avec qch, trancher avec qch
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
contrast
n
(= contrasting) → Gegenüberstellung f
→ Gegensatz m → (with, to zu); (visual, = striking difference of opposites) → Kontrast m → (with, to zu); by or in contrast → im Gegensatz dazu; to be in contrast with or to something → im Gegensatz/in Kontrast zu etw stehen; the red is a good contrast → das Rot stellt einen guten Kontrast dar; she’s quite a contrast to her sister → es besteht ein ziemlicher Gegensatz or Unterschied zwischen ihr und ihrer Schwester; the contrast between the state of the £ now and last year → der Unterschied zwischen dem jetzigen Stand des Pfundes und seinem Wert im letzten Jahr; and now, by way of contrast → und nun etwas ganz anderes; what a contrast! → welch ein Gegensatz!
(Art, Phot, TV) → Kontrast m
vi → im Gegensatz or in Kontrast stehen (with zu), kontrastieren (with mit); (colours also) → sich abheben (with von), abstechen (with von); to contrast unfavourably with something → bei einem Vergleich mit or im Vergleich zu etw schlecht abschneiden; his promises and his actions contrast sharply → seine Versprechungen und seine Handlungsweise stehen in scharfem Kontrast or Gegensatz zueinander; blue and yellow contrast nicely → Blau und Gelb ergeben einen hübschen Kontrast
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
contrast
[n ˈkɒntrɑːst; vb kənˈtrɑːst]2. vt to contrast (with) → mettere a confronto (con), opporre (a)
3. vi to contrast (with) → contrastare (con)
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
contrast
(kənˈtraːst) verb1. to show marked difference from. His words contrast with his actions.
2. to compare so as to show differences. Contrast fresh and frozen vegetables and you'll find the fresh ones taste better.
(ˈkontraːst) noun1. difference(s) in things or people that are compared. The contrast between their attitudes is very marked.
2. a thing or person that shows a marked difference (to another). She's a complete contrast to her sister.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.
contrast
→ تَبايُن protiklad kontrast Kontrast αντίθεση contraste kontrasti contraste kontrast contrasto 相違 대조 contrast kontrast kontrast contraste контраст kontrast ความแตกต่าง zıtlık sự tương phản 对照Multilingual Translator © HarperCollins Publishers 2009
con·trast
n. contraste;
___ medium → medio de ___;
v. contrastar, resaltar.
English-Spanish Medical Dictionary © Farlex 2012
contrast
n (fam, contrast medium) medio de contraste, contraste m (fam)English-Spanish/Spanish-English Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2006 by The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.