Added 1 October 2026
contrary
/ˈkɒntɹəɹi/ adjective
In Latin: contrārius Wiktionary
adjective Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). Pronunciation from Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org. More about contrary at Wordnik → Where our words come from →
-
Opposite; in an opposite direction; in opposition; adverse.
contrary winds
- Opposed; contradictory; inconsistent.
-
Given to opposition; perverse; wayward.
a contrary disposition; a contrary child
adverb
-
Contrarily
I never act contrary to my principles.
noun
- The opposite.
- One of a pair of propositions that cannot both be simultaneously true, though they may both be false.
- A type of loaded die.
verb
- To oppose; to frustrate.
- To impugn.
- To contradict (someone or something).
Origin
From Middle English contrarie, compare French contraire, from Old French contraire, from Latin contrārius (“opposite, opposed, contrary”), from contrā (“against”).
From Wiktionary, via Kaikki.org (CC BY-SA)