contrast

noun

1. 1

   A difference in lightness, brightness or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable. The degree of this difference.

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

2. 2

   A difference in lightness, brightness or hue between two colours that makes them more or less distinguishable. A control on a television, etc, that adjusts the amount of contrast in the images being displayed.

   Ohh, you can't fool me. This thing's top of the line! It's got two contrast knobs!

3. 3

   A difference between two objects, people or concepts.

   Israel is a country of many contrasts.

   The colonel and his sponsor made a queer contrast: Greystone [the sponsor] long and stringy, with a face that seemed as if a cold wind was eternally playing on it.

   ... there is no quality in this world that is not what it is merely by contrast.

4. 4

   Something that is opposite of or strikingly different from something else.

   Why this denunciation of idolatry at this point? And why are Shabbat and the sanctuary mentioned as contrasts to idol worship?

5. 5

   Antithesis.

6. 6

   Contrast medium

verb

1. 1

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

2. 2

   To form a contrast.

   Foreground and background strongly contrast.

   The color of her dress contrasts very nicely with the black scarf around her neck.

   The joints which divide the sandstone contrast finely with the divisional planes which separate the basalt into pillars.

Forms

plural

contrasts

past tense

contrasted

past participle

contrasted

present participle

contrasting

third person singular

contrasts