v. i. | 1. | To stand in opposition; to exhibit difference, unlikeness, or opposition of qualities. |
v. t. | 1. | 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; |
2. | (Fine Arts) 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. | |
n. | 1. | The act of contrasting, or the state of being contrasted; comparison by contrariety of qualities. |
2. | Opposition or dissimilitude of things or qualities; unlikeness, esp. as shown by juxtaposition or comparison. | |
3. | (Fine Arts) The opposition of varied forms, colors, etc., which by such juxtaposition more vividly express each other's peculiarities. |
Noun | 1. | contrast - the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared; "in contrast to", "by contrast" Synonyms: direct contrast |
2. | contrast - the act of distinguishing by comparing differences | |
3. | contrast - a conceptual separation or demarcation; "there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity" | |
4. | contrast - the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors | |
5. | contrast - 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) | |
Verb | 1. | contrast - put in opposition to show or emphasize differences; "The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student" |
2. | contrast - to show differences when compared; be different; "the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities" Synonyms: counterpoint |