Contrary Meaning and Definition
Contrary
Pronunciation
/kənˈtrɛri/
Part of Speech
Adjective
Definition
Opposed or opposed to; contrary to; mutually exclusive.
Etymology
From Old French “contraire”, from Latin “contrarius”, from “con-” (together) + “trarius” (opposite).
Usage Notes
Contrary can be used to describe things that are opposite or opposed, such as opposing views or opposing forces.
Cultural References
The phrase “contrary to the facts” is often used to describe a situation where someone’s actions or statements are opposed to reality.
Idiomatic Expressions or Phrases
- Contrary to all expectation
- A contrary view
Related Words or Phrases
- Opposite
- Antithesis
Collocations
- Contrary to all expectations
- A contrary opinion
Frequency of Use
The word “contrary” is commonly used in formal writing, such as in academic papers and business documents.
Common Misspellings
Some common misspellings of “contrary” include “contrarey”, “contraryly”, and “contrerary”.