Contrast Meaning
/kənˈtɹɑːst/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA difference in lightness, brightness or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.
nounA difference in lightness, brightness or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable., The degree of this difference.
Sentence Examples
The contrast between the sky and the mountain is striking.
As far as Bob is concerned, anything goes. By contrast, Jane is very cautious.
The two cities make an interesting contrast.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bright red flowers provide a sharp ____ against the green leafy background.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ between the sky and the mountain is striking.
Word Origin & History
From French contraster, from Latin contrāstāre (“to resist", "to withstand”), from contrā (“against”) + stō, stāre (“to stand”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"Ohh, you can't fool me. This thing's top of the line! It's got two contrast knobs!"
— 2009 May 4, Michael Chapman; Matthew Chapman, “Hremail #7”, in Homestar Runner, spoken by Strong Bad (Matthew Chapman):
"The colonel and his sponsor made a queer contrast: Greystone [the sponsor] long and stringy, with a face that seemed as if a cold wind was eternally playing on it."
— 1908, W[illiam] B[lair] M[orton] Ferguson, chapter I, in Zollenstein, New York, N.Y.: D. Appleton & Company, →OCLC:
"... there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast."
— 1851, Herman Melville, Moby Dick, Chapter 11:
"Why this denunciation of idolatry at this point? And why are Shabbat and the sanctuary mentioned as contrasts to idol worship?"
— 2001, David L. Lieber, Jules Harlow, Etz Hayim: Torah and Commentary, page 746:
"The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars."
— 1845, Charles Lyell, Lyell's Travels in North America:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
The bright red flowers provide a sharp ____ against the green leafy background.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
The ____ between the sky and the mountain is striking.