French word

contrepoint

Pronunciation

IPA/kɔ̃tʁəpwɛ̃/

Meaning

  • masculine nouncontrast

Example

Le contrepoint de ces scènes renforce le message du film.

The contrast between these scenes reinforces the film's message.

Illustration for contrepoint (contrast)

More examples

Son sourire faisait office de contrepoint pendant la réunion.

His smile served as a counterpoint during the meeting.

Core concept

Several self-contained strands share one space while their differences create emphasis.

Similar words

contraste: A marked difference between two or more things.
opposition: The coexistence of contrary qualities or positions.

Definition in French

Technique musicale consistant à organiser plusieurs voix indépendantes de façon à créer un contraste ; par extension, figure stylistique marquant une mise en contraste.

Word origin

Contrepoint ultimately reflects Medieval Latin contrapunctus, with Italian contrappunto serving as the route into French and combining contra with punctus.

Usage tips

  • The ending in contrepoint is pronounced like French point, with a nasal vowel and a silent final t.

Other meanings

  • counterpointnoun

Opposites

Word lists with this word