What does contrast mean?

Definitions for contrast
kənˈtræst, ˈkɒn træst; ˈkɒn træstcon·trast

This dictionary definitions page includes all the possible meanings, example usage and translations of the word contrast.

Princeton's WordNet

  1. contrast, direct contrastnoun

    the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

    "in contrast to", "by contrast"

  2. contrastnoun

    the act of distinguishing by comparing differences

  3. line, dividing line, demarcation, contrastnoun

    a conceptual separation or distinction

    "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity"

  4. contrastnoun

    the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors

  5. contrastverb

    the range of optical density and tone on a photographic negative or print (or the extent to which adjacent areas on a television screen differ in brightness)

  6. contrastverb

    put in opposition to show or emphasize differences

    "The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student"

  7. contrast, counterpointverb

    to show differences when compared; be different

    "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities"

Wiktionary

  1. contrastnoun

    A difference in lightness, brightness and/or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable.

  2. contrastnoun

    The degree of this difference.

    The red and the orange don't have much contrast between them uE000151142uE001 I can hardly tell them apart.

  3. contrastnoun

    A difference between two objects, people or concepts.

    Israel is a country of many contrasts.

  4. contrastnoun

    A control on a television, etc, that adjusts the amount of contrast in the images being displayed.

  5. contrastnoun

    Antithesis.

  6. contrastverb

    To set in opposition in order to show the difference or differences between.

  7. contrastverb

    To form a contrast.

    Foreground and background strongly contrast.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary

  1. CONTRASTnoun

    Opposition and dissimilitude of figures, by which one contributes to the visibility or effect of another.

    Etymology: contraste, Fr.

  2. To Contrastverb

    Etymology: from the noun.

    The figures of the groups must not be all on a side, that is, with their face and bodies all turned the same way; but must contrast each other by their several positions. John Dryden, Dufresnoy.

ChatGPT

  1. contrast

    Contrast can generally be defined as the difference, distinction, or comparison between two or more elements, qualities, or concepts. It involves highlighting the dissimilarities or opposing characteristics of these elements to emphasize their unique features or to create interest and clarity. Contrast can be observed in various aspects such as colors, textures, shapes, sizes, patterns, sounds, ideas, opinions, or perspectives. It is often used as a means to enhance visual appeal, create emphasis, or convey meaning in art, design, literature, communication, or any form of expression.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Contrastverb

    to stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of qualities

  2. Contrastverb

    to set in opposition, or over against, in order to show the differences between, or the comparative excellences and defects of; to compare by difference or contrariety of qualities; as, to contrast the present with the past

  3. Contrastverb

    to give greater effect to, as to a figure or other object, by putting it in some relation of opposition to another figure or object

  4. Contrastnoun

    the act of contrasting, or the state of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of qualities

  5. Contrastnoun

    opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison

  6. Contrastnoun

    the opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other's peculiarities

  7. Etymology: [F. contraster, LL. contrastare to resist, withstand, fr. L. contra + stare to stand. See Stand.]

Wikidata

  1. Contrast

    Contrast is the difference in luminance and/or color that makes an object distinguishable. In visual perception of the real world, contrast is determined by the difference in the color and brightness of the object and other objects within the same field of view. Because the human visual system is more sensitive to contrast than absolute luminance, we can perceive the world similarly regardless of the huge changes in illumination over the day or from place to place. The maximum contrast of an image is the contrast ratio or dynamic range. Contrast is also the difference between the color or shading of the printed material on a document and the background on which it is printed, for example in optical character recognition.

Chambers 20th Century Dictionary

  1. Contrast

    kon-trast′, v.i. to stand in opposition to.—v.t. to set in opposition, in order to show superiority or give effect.—n. Con′trast, opposition or unlikeness in things compared: exhibition of differences.—adj. Contrast′ive. [Fr. contraster—L. contra, opposite to, stāre, to stand.]

British National Corpus

  1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'contrast' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #1622

  2. Nouns Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'contrast' in Nouns Frequency: #719

  3. Verbs Frequency

    Rank popularity for the word 'contrast' in Verbs Frequency: #874

Usage in printed sourcesFrom: 

How to pronounce contrast?

How to say contrast in sign language?

Numerology

  1. Chaldean Numerology

    The numerical value of contrast in Chaldean Numerology is: 2

  2. Pythagorean Numerology

    The numerical value of contrast in Pythagorean Numerology is: 2

Examples of contrast in a Sentence

  1. Los Angeles:

    The conduct alleged in the filings revealed today is deeply disturbing and in contrast with the expectations we have of our coaches to lead their teams with honesty and integrity, if the facts alleged are true, they represent a grave departure from the ethical standards we set for ourselves and the people who work here.

  2. Ken Cheung:

    In contrast with the situation in July, August, the Fed has already cut twice but local rates are driving higher still. Capital outflow concerns seem pretty severe.

  3. Bernie Sanders:

    People will have to contrast my consistency and my willingness to stand up to Wall Street and corporations with the secretary.

  4. Ben Tulchin:

    In Michigan we were able to win in 2016 because we pressed the case on trade and, guess what, we are able to do that again this time, the contrast is clear.

  5. Stephanie Baric:

    Typically seen in the form of physical or emotional abuse, rape or kidnapping, honor violence also includes harmful practices such as female genital mutilation( FGM) and forced marriage. In extreme cases, murder, in sharp contrast with domestic violence, families and communities often condone honor violence, which makes Honor Violence more difficult to identify and stop.

Popularity rank by frequency of use

contrast#1#3990#10000

Translations for contrast

From our Multilingual Translation Dictionary

  • التباينArabic
  • контрастирам, контраст, противопоставямBulgarian
  • protiklad, kontrastovatCzech
  • kontrastieren, Kontrast, gegenüberstellenGerman
  • αντιπαραβάλλωGreek
  • kontrasti, kontrastoEsperanto
  • contrastar, contrasteSpanish
  • کنتراستPersian
  • vastakohta, rinnastaa, kontrastinappula, verrata, kontrastiFinnish
  • contrasterFrench
  • codarsnachtIrish
  • הנגיד, ניגודHebrew
  • 대조Korean
  • contraste, contrastarPortuguese
  • contrastRomanian
  • контраст, контрастировать, противопоставить, противопоставлятьRussian
  • kontrastera, kontrastSwedish
  • வேறுபடுத்திப்Tamil
  • ความคมชัดThai
  • اس کے برعکسUrdu
  • tương phảnVietnamese

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"contrast." Definitions.net. STANDS4 LLC, 2025. Web. 21 Feb. 2025. <https://www.definitions.net/definition/contrast>.

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