contrary

The definition of contrary is someone or something that is opposite to something else or is unfavorable.

(adjective)

An example of contrary is two people having very different opinions about something.

Contrary is defined as something that is opposite.

(noun)

An example of contrary is Christianity and Athiesm.

See contrary in Webster's New World College Dictionary

adjective

Origin: ME contrarie < OFr contraire < L contrarius, opposite, opposed < contra, against

noun pl. contraries

the opposite; thing that is the opposite of another
Logic either of two propositions so related that only one can be true but both may be false

adverb

in a contrary way; contrariwise

Related Forms:

See contrary in American Heritage Dictionary 4

adjective

Opposed, as in character or purpose: contrary opinions; acts that are contrary to our code of ethics.
Opposite in direction or position: Our boat took a course contrary to theirs. See Synonyms at opposite.
Music Moving in the opposite direction at a fixed interval: playing scales in contrary motion.
Adverse; unfavorable: a contrary wind.
also (kən-trârˈē) Given to recalcitrant behavior; willful or perverse.

noun pl. con·trar·ies

Something that is opposite or contrary.
Either of two opposing or contrary things: “Truth is perhaps . . . a dynamic compound of opposites, savage contraries for a moment conjoined” (A. Bartlett Giamatti).
Logic A proposition related to another in such a way that if the latter is true, the former must be false, but if the latter is false, the former is not necessarily true.

adverb

In an opposite direction or manner; counter: The judge ruled contrary to all precedent in the case.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English contrarie

Origin: , from Anglo-Norman

Origin: , from Latin contrārius

Origin: : contrā, against; see kom in Indo-European roots

Origin: + -ārius, -ary

Related Forms: