contrary in English
- contrary⇄adj. 1. opposed; opposite; completely different.
Ex. My sister's taste in dresses is contrary to my own.
2. opposite in direction or position.
(SYN) counter.
3. being the opposite one of two.
Ex. The players on the contra - contrary⇄adv. contrarily.
- contrary⇄adv. in opposition; contrarily.
- contrary⇄contrary, adjective, noun, pl.-ries,adverb.
- contrary⇄expr. by contraries, contrary to expectation.
Ex. In the Commonwealth I would (by contraries) execute all things (Shakespeare). - contrary⇄expr. on the contrary, exactly opposite to what has been said.
Ex. He is not stingy; on the contrary, no one could be more generous. Nothing, on the contrary, could be more natural (Jane Austen). - contrary⇄expr. to the contrary, with the opposite effect.
Ex. The next debater, in rebuttal, spoke to the contrary. - contrary⇄noun contrariness.
- contrary⇄noun 1. the opposite.
Ex. After promising to stay and clean up, he did the contrary and walked out.
2. (Logic.)
a. a proposition so related to a second that both may be false, but both cannot be true. ?All cows are black is the contra
contrary in Tamil தமிழ்
Contrary
Part of Speech
Adjective, Noun, Adverb
Pronunciation
English: /ˈkɒn.trə.ri/ (British), /ˈkɑːn.trer.i/ (American)
Definitions
- Adjective: Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.
- Noun: The opposite or an opposing argument.
- Adverb: In an opposite manner or direction.
Usage Examples
- The contrary opinions in the debate made it more engaging.
- She is always contrary and refuses to follow instructions.
- Contrary to popular belief, eating late at night doesn’t always lead to weight gain.
Etymology
From Latin "contrarius," meaning "opposite, opposed," derived from "contra," meaning "against."
Synonyms
- Opposite
- Contradictory
- Adverse
- Conflicting
- Antithetical
Antonyms
- Similar
- Consistent
- Agreeable
- Harmonious
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Contrario | /konˈtɾaɾjo/ |
| French | Contraire | /kɔ̃.tʁɛʁ/ |
| German | Gegenteil | /ˈɡeːɡn̩ˌtaɪl/ |
| Hindi | विपरीत | /vɪpəˈriːt/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 相反 | /xiāng fǎn/ |
| Russian | Противоположный | /prətʲɪvəpɐˈloʐnɨj/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈkɒn.trə.ri/
- American English: /ˈkɑːn.trer.i/
- Australian English: /ˈkɒn.trəri/
Historical Usage
The word "contrary" has been in use since the 14th century, often appearing in legal, philosophical, and rhetorical contexts to signify opposition or contradiction.
Cultural Nuances
In Western philosophy, "contrary" is often used in logical arguments, while in everyday speech, it can describe stubborn or oppositional behavior.
More Information
"Contrary" is frequently used in debates, legal discussions, and philosophical arguments. The phrase "on the contrary" is used to introduce an opposing idea, emphasizing disagreement or correction of a misconception. It is also commonly associated with stubbornness or resistance, especially in describing individuals who frequently oppose the norm.