- contrast
- ♦♦♦contrasts, contrasting, contrasted(The noun is pronounced [[t]kɒ̱ntrɑːst, -træst[/t]]. The verb is pronounced [[t]kəntrɑ͟ːst, -træ̱st[/t]].)1) N-VAR: oft N between pl-n A contrast is a great difference between two or more things which is clear when you compare them.
...the contrast between town and country...
The two visitors provided a startling contrast in appearance...
Silk was used with wool for contrast.
2) PHRASE: PHR with cl You say by contrast or in contrast, or in contrast to something, to show that you are mentioning a very different situation from the one you have just mentioned.The private sector, by contrast, has plenty of money to spend...
In contrast, the lives of girls in well-to-do families were often very sheltered...
In contrast to similar services in France and Germany, British Rail's Intercity rolling stock is very rarely idle.
3) PHRASE: v-link PHR, usu PHR to n If one thing is in contrast to another, it is very different from it.His public statements have always been in marked contrast to those of his son...
That is in stark contrast to the situation during the 1970 oil crisis.
4) N-COUNT: oft N to/with n If one thing is a contrast to another, it is very different from it.The boy's room is a complete contrast to the guest room.
...a country of great contrasts.
5) VERB If you contrast one thing with another, you point out or consider the differences between those things.[V n with n] She contrasted the situation then with the present crisis...
[V n with n] Contrast that approach with what goes on in most organizations...
[V pl-n] In this section we contrast four possible broad approaches.
6) V-RECIP If one thing contrasts with another, it is very different from it.[V with n] Johnson's easy charm contrasted sharply with the prickliness of his boss...
[V-ing] Paint the wall in a contrasting colour. [Also pl-n V]
7) N-UNCOUNT Contrast is the degree of difference between the darker and lighter parts of a photograph, television picture, or painting....a television with brighter colours, better contrast, and digital sound.
English dictionary. 2008.
