TOP

Definition of counterpoint noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

counterpoint

noun
 
/ˈkaʊntəpɔɪnt/
 
/ˈkaʊntərpɔɪnt/
jump to other results
  1. [uncountable] (music) the combination of two or more tunes played together to form a single piece of music synonym polyphony
    • The two melodies are played in counterpoint.
    see also contrapuntalTopics Musicc2
  2. [countable] counterpoint (to something) (music) a tune played in combination with another one
  3. [uncountable, countable] (formal) an effective or interesting contrast
    • This work is in austere counterpoint to that of Gaudi.
    4. Word Originlate Middle English: from Old French contrepoint, from medieval Latin contrapunctum ‘(song) pricked or marked over against (the original melody)’, from contra- ‘against’ + punctum, from pungere ‘to prick’.
See counterpoint in the Oxford Advanced American Dictionary
Check pronunciation: counterpoint

Other results

All matches

Nearby words

hat-trick
noun
 
 
From the Topic
Sports
C2
Oxford Learner's Dictionaries Word of the Day