contrast

Definition

• n. the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared
• n. the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
• n. the perceptual effect of the juxtaposition of very different colors
• n. 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)

Word forms

Third person singular

contrasts

Past participle

contrasted

Past tense

contrasted

Present participle

contrasting

Example sentences

1. n.

   The contrast between the bright colors and the dark background made the painting stand out.

2. vt.

   She contrasted the two stories to show how different they were.

3. vi.

   As the seasons change, the flowers contrast beautifully with the changing leaves.

4. n.

   The photographer adjusted the contrast to bring out the details in the shadows.