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Definitions for Contrast

[1] to compare in order to show unlikeness or differences; note the opposite natures, purposes, etc., of: Contrast the political rights of Romans and Greeks.
[2] to exhibit unlikeness on comparison with something else; form a contrast.
[3] Linguistics . to differ in a way that can serve to distinguish meanings: The sounds ( p) and ( b) contrast in the words “pin” and “bin.”
[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: The weather down here is a welcome contrast to what we're having back home.
[7] opposition or juxtaposition of different forms, lines, or colors in a work of art to intensify each element's properties and produce a more dynamic expressiveness.
[8] Photography . the relative difference between light and dark areas of a print or negative.
[9] Television . the brightness ratio of the lightest to the darkest part of the television screen image.
[10] Linguistics . a difference between linguistic elements, especially sounds, that can serve to distinguish meanings.
[11] (often foll by with) to distinguish or be distinguished by comparison of unlike or opposite qualities
[12] 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 )
[13] a person or thing showing notable differences when compared with another
[14] (in painting) the effect of the juxtaposition of different colours, tones, etc
[15] (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
[16] 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

Words related to Contrast

comparison, diversity, disagreement, divergence, variation, disparity, contradiction, opposition, distinction, contradict, vary, diverge, inverse, reverse, contradistinction, antithesis, converse, incompatibility, foil, inequality

Words nearby Contrast

contrarious, contrariwise, contrary, contrary motion, contrasexual, contrast, contrast bath, contrast enema, contrast medium, contrast stain, contrastive

Origin of Contrast

1480–90; (verb) < Middle French contraster < Italian contrastare to contest < Latin contrā- contra-1 + stāre to stand; (noun) earlier contraste < French < Italian contrasto conflict, derivative of contrastare

Words that may be confused with Contrast

compare, contrast, (see, usage, note, at, compare)

Other words from Contrast

con·trast·a·ble , adjective
con·trast·a·bly , adverb
con·trast·ing·ly , adverb
qua·si-con·trast·ed , adjective
un·con·trast·a·ble , adjective
un·con·trast·a·bly , adverb
un·con·trast·ed , adjective
un·con·trast·ing , adjective
well-con·trast·ed , adjective

Word origin for Contrast

C16: (n): via French from Italian, from contrastare (vb), from Latin contra- against + stare to stand

Synonyms for Contrast

comparison, contradiction, disagreement, disparity, distinction, divergence, diversity, opposition, variation, antithesis, contradistinction, contrariety, converse, differentiation, dissimilarity, dissimilitude, foil, heterogeneity, incompatibility, incongruousness, inconsistency, inequality, inverse, oppositeness, reverse, unlikeness, variance, adverse, contraposition