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contrary definition

con·trary (kän′trer′ē; for adj.4, often kən trer′ē)

adjective

  1. opposed; in opposition contrary to the rules
  2. opposite in nature, order, direction, etc.; altogether different
  3. unfavorable contrary winds
  4. inclined to oppose or disagree stubbornly; perverse

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

noun pl. contraries -·trar′·ies

  1. the opposite; thing that is the opposite of another
  2. 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:

  • contrarily con′·trari·ly (kän′trer′ə lē, kən trer′-) adverb
  • contrariness con′·trar′i·ness noun
contrary Idioms

by contraries

Archaic contrary to what is expected

on the contrary

as opposed to what has been said

to the contrary

to the opposite effect; in reversal of what is stated

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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