Question 1 · Quick check
contrary
CEFRC1
/ˈkɒntɹəɹi/
adjective · noun
Türkçe translations
Translating…
In plain English
- 01
adjective
Opposite to what is expected, wanted, or stated.
- 02
noun
The opposite of something.
Examples
And yet, the contrary is always true as well.
In the end the contrary was proved true: he was innocent and she was guilty.
At a glance
Sits at C1 on the CEFR scale
- Senses
- 5
- Parts of speech
- 2
- Citations
- 5
- Synonyms
- 5
Also pronounced
- /kənˈtɹɛəɹi/
Deep Dive
adjective
Extra meaningsGiven to opposition; perverse; wayward.
Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
More examples
In context"Have you finished?" "On the contrary, I have not even begun yet."
I never act contrary to my principles.
a contrary disposition; a contrary child
Related
Quick test
Two questions on this entry. Nothing is scored.
Practise this properly in the app, where the word comes back before you forget it.
Nearby
Origin
adjective
From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).