Basic Details
Word: Contrast
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A clear difference between two things when they are compared. As a verb, to contrast means to compare things to show how they differ.
Synonyms: difference, distinction, disparity
Antonyms: similarity, likeness, resemblance
How to Spell Contrast
Syllables: con - trast
Tricky part: The vowel after tr is a, and the word ends in st. Students sometimes write contrust or confuse it with contract, which ends in ct.
Watch out for: contrust, contrasst, kontrast
Memory tip: A contrast makes things stand out fast: contr-AST rhymes with fast and last.
Usage Examples
Example 1: There is a sharp contrast between the busy bazaar and the quiet temple behind it.
Example 2: In contrast to his brother, Kabir loves maths.
Example 3: Our art teacher asked us to contrast warm colours with cool ones.
Fun Fact
Many warning signs use black on yellow because that strong colour contrast is easy to see from far away.
Practise the CREST Way
Word Connection
Choose the word opposite in meaning to contrast as used in the sentence:
Visitors are always struck by the contrast between the snowy peaks and the green fields of the valley below.
a) similarity
b) clash
c) gap
d) difference
Show answer
a) similarity. A contrast is a difference, so its opposite is similarity.
Mingle-Mangle
The jumbled word in the sentence hides a real word. Choose it:
The white kurta stood out in strong rtnocsat against the dark velvet curtain.
a) constant
b) contrast
c) contract
d) contact
Show answer
b) contrast. Contract is the trap: it has a c where contrast has an s, and the jumble has only one c.
Word Cookie
Find the extra letter in the word:
conntrast
a) t
b) s
c) r
d) n
Show answer
d) n. Contrast begins with con, one n only, before tr.
Multiple Choice Questions
1. Which pair shows the greatest contrast?
a) a lake and a pond
b) day and night
c) dawn and morning
d) a cup and a mug
Show answer
b) day and night
2. In contrast to means ____.
a) unlike
b) as well as
c) together with
d) because of
Show answer
a) unlike
