noun , verb
■ noun / ˈkɒntrɑːst; NAmE ˈkɑːntræst/
1.
[ C , U ] contrast (between A and B) | contrast (to / with sb/sth) a difference between two or more people or things that you can see clearly when they are compared or put close together; the fact of comparing two or more things in order to show the differences between them :
There is an obvious contrast between the cultures of East and West.
The company lost $7 million this quarter in contrast to a profit of $6.2 million a year earlier.
When you look at their new system, ours seems very old-fashioned by contrast .
The situation when we arrived was in marked contrast to the news reports.
to show a sharp / stark / striking contrast with sth
The poverty of her childhood stands in total contrast to her life in Hollywood.
A wool jacket complements the silk trousers and provides an interesting contrast in texture.
Careful contrast of the two plans shows some important differences.
2.
[ C ] contrast (to sb/sth) a person or thing that is clearly different from sb/sth else :
The work you did today is quite a contrast to (= very much better / worse than) what you did last week.
3.
[ U ] differences in colour or in light and dark, used in photographs and paintings to create a special effect :
The artist's use of contrast is masterly.
4.
[ U ] the amount of difference between light and dark in a picture on a television screen :
Use this button to adjust the contrast.
■ verb / kənˈtrɑːst; NAmE -ˈtræst/
1.
[ vn ] contrast (A and / with B) to compare two things in order to show the differences between them :
It is interesting to contrast the British legal system with the American one.
The poem contrasts youth and age.
2.
[ v ] contrast (with sth) to show a clear difference when close together or when compared :
Her actions contrasted sharply with her promises.
Her actions and her promises contrasted sharply.
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WORD ORIGIN
late 17th cent. (as a term in fine art, in the sense juxtapose so as to bring out differences in form and colour ): from French contraste (noun), contraster (verb), via Italian from medieval Latin contrastare , from Latin contra- against + stare stand.