Contra vs. Counter: What's the Difference?
By Aimie Carlson & Janet White || Updated on May 23, 2024
"Contra" means against or in opposition to, often used in formal contexts or specialized fields; "Counter" means to oppose, respond, or act in opposition, commonly used in everyday language.
Key Differences
"Contra" is a preposition and prefix meaning "against" or "opposite," frequently found in legal, medical, and scientific terminology. "Counter" functions as a verb, noun, and prefix, indicating opposition, response, or a surface for transactions.
"Contra" is less common in everyday English and often appears in compound words like "contradict" or "contravene." "Counter" is versatile and widely used, as in "counterattack" (verb) or "kitchen counter" (noun).
In terms of usage, "contra" is typically found in formal writing and specific contexts such as legal documents and scholarly articles. "Counter" is prevalent in both formal and informal speech and writing.
The prefix "contra" creates words that emphasize opposition or contradiction. The prefix "counter" similarly denotes opposition but often conveys a more direct or practical response.
"Contra" and "counter" both stem from Latin, but "counter" has a broader application in modern English, used in various contexts from arguments to physical surfaces.
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When choosing between them, "contra" is preferred in specialized fields, whereas "counter" is suitable for general, everyday contexts and actions.
Comparison Chart
Part of Speech
Preposition, Prefix
Verb, Noun, Prefix
Common Usage
Formal, specialized fields
Everyday language
Examples
Contradict, Contravene
Counterattack, Kitchen counter
Prefix Meaning
Against, opposite
Oppose, respond, act in opposition
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Frequency in English
Less common, formal contexts
More common, versatile
Contra and Counter Definitions
Contra
Against; in opposition to.
The decision was made contra the advice of the experts.
Counter
Oppose or act against something.
She countered his argument with solid evidence.
Contra
In medical terms, contraindicating a treatment.
The drug is contra-indicated for patients with heart conditions.
Counter
A flat surface on which money is counted, business is transacted, or food is prepared or served.
Contra
Opposite in direction or position.
The arguments presented were contra to the initial findings.
Counter
(Games)A piece, as of wood or ivory, used for keeping a count or a place.
Contra
As a prefix, meaning "opposite."
The new law contravenes established international agreements.
Counter
An imitation coin; a token.
Contra
In contrast or opposition to; against.
Counter
A piece of money.
Contra
In opposition to something stated or expected; to the contrary.
Counter
One who counts.
He's only 16 months, but is already a good counter – he can count to 100.
Contra
A member of the rebel forces that opposed the leftist government of Nicaragua in the 1980s with the funds and support of the United States government.
Counter
A reckoner; someone who collects data by counting; an enumerator.
Contra
Against; contrary or opposed to; in opposition or contrast to
Counter
An object (now especially a small disc) used in counting or keeping count, or as a marker in games, etc.
He rolled a six on the dice, so moved his counter forward six spaces.
Contra
Contrary to something
Counter
A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations.
Contra
(business) A deal to swap goods or services.
Counter
(programming) A variable, memory location, etc. whose contents are incremented to keep a count.
Contra
A conservative; originally tied to Nicaraguan counter-revolutionaries.
Counter
(Internet) A hit counter.
Contra
An entry (or account) that cancels another entry (or account).
A contra position; a contra entry
The sum for each contra account is shown in the last column.
Counter
A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted
He put his money on the counter, and the shopkeeper put it in the till.
Contra
Any of the musical instruments in the contrabass range, e.g. contrabassoon, contrabass clarinet or, especially, double bass.
Counter
A shop tabletop on which goods are examined, weighed or measured.
Contra
(dance) A contra dance.
Counter
In a kitchen, a surface, often built into the wall and above a cabinet, designed to be used for food preparation.
Contra
A country dance.
Counter
In a bathroom, a surface, often built into the wall and above a cabinet, which holds the washbasin.
Contra
(accounting) To undo; to reverse.
To contra a position (an entry)
Counter
(curling) Any stone lying closer to the center than any of the opponent's stones.
Contra
Used in legal contexts to denote opposition.
The lawyer argued contra the proposed legislation.
Counter
(historical) The prison attached to a city court; a compter.
Counter
(grammar) A class of word used along with numbers to count objects and events, typically mass nouns. Although rare and optional in English (e.g. "20 head of cattle"), they are numerous and required in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Counter
Something opposite or contrary to something else.
Counter
(martial arts) A proactive defensive hold or move in reaction to a hold or move by one's opponent.
Always know a counter to any hold you try against your opponent.
Counter
(nautical) The overhanging stern of a vessel above the waterline, below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.
Counter
The piece of a shoe or a boot around the heel of the foot (above the heel of the shoe/boot).
Counter
(music) contra Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to countertenor.
Counter
The breast of a horse; that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
Counter
(typography) The enclosed or partly closed negative space of a glyph.
Counter
(obsolete) An encounter.
Counter
Contrary, in opposition; in an opposite direction.
Counter
In the wrong way; contrary to the right course.
A hound that runs counter
Counter
To contradict, oppose.
Counter
(boxing) To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing.
Counter
To take action in response to; to respond.
Counter
To encounter.
Counter
Contrary or opposing
His carrying a knife was counter to my plan.
Counter
One who counts, or reckons up; a calculator; a reckoner.
Counter
A piece of metal, ivory, wood, or bone, used in reckoning, in keeping account of games, etc.
The old gods of our own race whose names . . . serve as counters reckon the days of the week.
What comes the wool to? . . . I can not do it without counters.
Counter
Money; coin; - used in contempt.
To lock such rascal counters from his friends.
Counter
A prison; either of two prisons formerly in London.
Anne Aysavugh . . . imprisoned in the Counter.
Counter
A telltale; a contrivance attached to an engine, printing press, or other machine, for the purpose of counting the revolutions or the pulsations.
Counter
A table or board on which money is counted and over which business is transacted; a long, narrow table or bench, on which goods are laid for examination by purchasers, or on which they are weighed or measured.
Counter
The after part of a vessel's body, from the water line to the stern, - below and somewhat forward of the stern proper.
Counter
Same as Contra. Formerly used to designate any under part which served for contrast to a principal part, but now used as equivalent to counter tenor.
Counter
The breast, or that part of a horse between the shoulders and under the neck.
Counter
The back leather or heel part of a boot.
Counter
An encounter.
With kindly counter under mimic shade.
Counter
Contrary; in opposition; in an opposite direction; contrariwise; - used chiefly with run or go.
Running counter to all the rules of virtue.
Counter
In the wrong way; contrary to the right course; as, a hound that runs counter.
This is counter, you false Danish dogs!
Counter
At or against the front or face.
Which [darts] they never throw counter, but at the back of the flier.
Counter
Contrary; opposite; contrasted; opposed; adverse; antagonistic; as, a counter current; a counter revolution; a counter poison; a counter agent; counter fugue.
Counter
To return a blow while receiving one, as in boxing.
His left hand countered provokingly.
Counter
Table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
Counter
Game equipment used in various card or board games
Counter
A calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
Counter
A piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers
Counter
A person who counts things
Counter
A quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one);
It brought a sharp rejoinder from the teacher
Counter
(computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)
Counter
The piece of leather that fits the heel
Counter
A piece of leather forming the back of a shoe
Counter
A return punch (especially by a boxer)
Counter
Speak in response;
He countered with some very persuasive arguments
Counter
Act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
Counter
Indicating opposition or resistance
Counter
In the opposite direction;
Run counter
Counter
A surface for transactions or activities.
The chef prepared the meal on the kitchen counter.
Counter
As a prefix, meaning "opposite" or "in response to."
The army launched a counterattack at dawn.
Counter
Respond to something.
He countered the move with a swift reply.
Counter
A device for counting.
The machine's counter displayed the total number of visitors.
FAQs
What does "contra" mean?
"Contra" means against or in opposition to something.
How is "counter" used as a verb?
"Counter" as a verb means to oppose or respond to something.
How does "contra" function in medical terminology?
In medical terms, "contra" indicates something is contraindicated or not advised.
Can "contra" be used in everyday language?
"Contra" is less common in everyday language and is usually found in formal contexts.
What is a "contraindication"?
A contraindication is a specific situation where a drug or procedure should not be used.
Is "contra" used in scientific contexts?
Yes, "contra" is often used in scientific and technical contexts.
What is a common use of "counter" as a noun?
A common use of "counter" as a noun is a surface for transactions, like a kitchen counter.
What type of prefix is "contra"?
"Contra" is a prefix meaning against or opposite.
Is "counter" more versatile than "contra"?
Yes, "counter" is more versatile and used in a variety of contexts.
Give an example of "contra" in a legal context.
"The lawyer argued contra the proposed legislation."
What does "counter" mean as a prefix?
As a prefix, "counter" means in opposition to or as a response to.
How is "contra" different from "counter"?
"Contra" is more formal and specialized, while "counter" is versatile and commonly used.
What is a "counterattack"?
A "counterattack" is a responsive attack against an opponent.
Are "contra" and "counter" interchangeable?
No, they are not always interchangeable and depend on the context.
What is an example of "counter" in everyday use?
"He placed the groceries on the kitchen counter."
How do you use "counter" in a sentence?
"She countered his proposal with a better one."
What does "contravene" mean?
"Contravene" means to violate or go against a rule or law.
Can "counter" refer to a counting device?
Yes, "counter" can refer to a device that counts items or events.
Can "counter" be used in arguments?
Yes, "counter" is commonly used to respond to or oppose arguments.
What is the origin of "contra" and "counter"?
Both "contra" and "counter" originate from Latin but have different applications in modern English.
About Author
Written by
Aimie CarlsonAimie Carlson, holding a master's degree in English literature, is a fervent English language enthusiast. She lends her writing talents to Difference Wiki, a prominent website that specializes in comparisons, offering readers insightful analyses that both captivate and inform.
Co-written by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
