Counterpoint Meaning
/ˈkaʊntə(ɹ)ˌpɔɪnt/Definition, CEFR level B2, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounA melody added to an existing one, especially one added to provide harmony whilst each retains its simultaneous identity; a composition consisting of such contrapuntal melodies.
nounAny similar contrasting element in a work of art.
Sentence Examples
This music makes heavy use of counterpoint.
This piece makes heavy use of counterpoint.
Synonyms & Antonyms
Synonyms:
Antonyms:
None
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her cheerful mood was a perfect ____ to his gloomy attitude.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This music makes heavy use of ____.
Word Origin & History
Inherited from Middle English [Term?], from Middle French contrepoint, from Medieval Latin contrāpūnctum. Equivalent to counter- + point.
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I noticed […] that when a very cheesy synthesized violin sound plays in counterpoint with a real violin, it can quite convincingly seem as if two violins are playing."
— 2009, Roger T. Dean, The Oxford Handbook of Computer Music:
"As counterpoints to the glamorous looks of 1980s models such as Chistie Brinkley and Heidi Klum, heroin chic looks such as Kate Moss were thin to the point of anorectic gauntness."
— 2014, Nancy M. Marion, Willard M. Oliver, Drugs In American Society: An Encyclopedia of History, Politics and the Law, page 188:
"[…] the dominant discourse on theory and method in the study of religions remains stuck on the debate about reductionism, which is in turn bent on representing the debate about theory and method in the study of religions as a choice between an unscientific phenomenology or an unsympathetic positivism (for phenomenology the idea that explanation is always 'bad' is perfectly counterpointed by the idea that religion is always 'good')."
— 2011, Paul-François Tremlett, Religion and the Discourse on Modernity:
Explore More B2 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
Her cheerful mood was a perfect ____ to his gloomy attitude.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
This music makes heavy use of ____.