contrast
contrast Lexical Profile
contrast Game Scores & Validity
• noun
The state of being strikingly different from something else in juxtaposition or close association.
"The artist used a sharp contrast of light and shadow to create depth in the portrait."
A person or thing that is noticeably different from someone or something else when compared closely.
"The quiet rural village was a welcome contrast to the bustling metropolis."
The degree of difference between tones, colors, or luminance in a television picture, photograph, or digital display.
"She adjusted the contrast on her computer monitor to make the text easier to read."
• verb
To compare two or more things in such a way as to emphasize their differences.
"In her essay, she contrasted the economic policies of the two administrations."
To differ strikingly from something else when placed in close association.
"His calm demeanor contrasted sharply with the panicked reaction of the crowd."
Word Nuance & Usage
Like many two-syllable noun-verb pairs in English, the pronunciation of 'contrast' shifts with its part of speech: the noun is stressed on the first syllable (CON-trast), whereas the verb is stressed on the second syllable (con-TRAST).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed in the late 16th century from French 'contraste', via Italian 'contrasto', from Medieval Latin 'contrastare', combining Latin 'contra' (against) and 'stare' (to stand).