Meaning & Definition of Contrast in English

1. The opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared

• "In contrast to", "by contrast"

2. The act of distinguishing by comparing differences

3. A conceptual separation or distinction

• "There is a narrow line between sanity and insanity"

4. The perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors

5. 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)

1. 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. To show differences when compared

• Be different

• "The students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities"