A1 noun Neutral

contrast

/ˈkɒntræst/

A contrast is a clear difference between two things when you see them together. In art, it usually describes the difference between light and dark colors or different shapes.

Examples

3 of 5
1

The black and white photo has a great contrast.

The picture using only black and white shows a big difference.

2

The exhibition highlights the contrast between classical and modern styles.

The show shows the clear difference between old and new art types.

3

I love the contrast of the red paint on that blue wall.

I like how the red color looks so different from the blue wall.

Word Family

Noun
contrast
Verb
contrast
Adverb
contrastingly
Adjective
contrasting
Related
contrastiveness
💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Contrast' button on a TV: it makes the bright parts brighter and the dark parts darker so they look different.

Quick Quiz

There is a strong ____ between the dark sky and the bright stars in this painting.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contrast

Examples

1

The black and white photo has a great contrast.

everyday

The picture using only black and white shows a big difference.

2

The exhibition highlights the contrast between classical and modern styles.

formal

The show shows the clear difference between old and new art types.

3

I love the contrast of the red paint on that blue wall.

informal

I like how the red color looks so different from the blue wall.

4

The artist uses high contrast to create a sense of drama.

academic

The painter uses very different colors to make the work look exciting.

5

We need more contrast in the logo design so the text is clear.

business

We must make the logo colors more different so people can read it easily.

Word Family

Noun
contrast
Verb
contrast
Adverb
contrastingly
Adjective
contrasting
Related
contrastiveness

Common Collocations

sharp contrast a very clear and easy to see difference
stark contrast a very strong and simple difference
high contrast having very big differences between light and dark
in contrast to when compared with something else
color contrast the difference between two colors

Common Phrases

by contrast

looking at the difference

in contrast to

compared with

a study in contrasts

something that has many very different parts

Often Confused With

contrast vs compare

Compare looks for how things are the same; contrast looks for how things are different.

📝

Usage Notes

Use 'contrast' when you want to talk about things that look very different when put next to each other. It is most common when talking about colors, photography, or styles.

⚠️

Common Mistakes

Students often use 'contrast' when they mean 'compare'. Also, remember that as a noun, the stress is on the first part of the word (CON-trast).

💡

Memory Tip

Think of the 'Contrast' button on a TV: it makes the bright parts brighter and the dark parts darker so they look different.

📖

Word Origin

From the Latin words 'contra' (against) and 'stare' (to stand), meaning to stand things against each other.

Grammar Patterns

Countable noun: one contrast, two contrasts Often used with the preposition 'between' or 'to' The stress is on the first syllable for the noun form
🌍

Cultural Context

In modern web design, high color contrast is culturally important for accessibility to help people with vision problems read content.

Quick Quiz

There is a strong ____ between the dark sky and the bright stars in this painting.

Correct!

The correct answer is: contrast

More art words

zoom

A1

A camera feature or lens that makes a subject appear much closer or larger. In digital art, it refers to the tool used to change the size of the image on the screen to see small details.

flash

A1

A sudden, brief burst of bright light used to take photos or to show something clearly. In art, it can also refer to pre-drawn designs used by tattoo artists.

pixel

A1

A pixel is the smallest unit of a digital image or graphic that can be displayed on a screen. Many pixels combined together create the full pictures you see on computers, phones, and televisions.

drawing

A1

A picture or image created by using a pen, pencil, or crayon rather than paint. It is a fundamental form of visual art that focuses on lines and shading.

impressionism

A1

Impressionism is a style of painting that began in France in the late 1800s. It uses small, thin brushstrokes and bright colors to show how light changes on objects and nature.

masterpiece

A1

A masterpiece is an extremely good piece of work, such as a painting, book, or movie. It is usually the best work that an artist or creator has ever made.

oil paint

A1

Oil paint is a type of slow-drying paint made by mixing colored pigments with oil, such as linseed oil. It is a popular medium used by artists to create detailed and vibrant artworks on canvas.

charcoal

A1

Charcoal is a black material made by burning wood with very little air. In art, it is used as a stick or pencil for drawing dark lines and shadows on paper.

resolution

A1

Resolution describes how clear and detailed an image or a screen looks. In art and photography, high resolution means the picture is very sharp, while low resolution means it looks blurry or pixelated.

graphic design

A1

Graphic design is the art of combining pictures and words to share information or ideas. It is used to make things like posters, websites, and logos look attractive and easy to understand.

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