Counterpoint
noun
An element or feature added to something else to make it more interesting or significant.
The sour taste of the lemon provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet honey in the recipe.
Often appears as...
- serve as a counterpoint
- play counterpoint
noun
The combining of distinct melodic lines in music.
His counterpoint technique contributed greatly to the complexity and richness of his compositions.
Often appears as...
- counterpoint in music
- complex counterpoint
Usage tips
Technical
noun
An element or feature added to something else to make it more interesting or significant.
The sour taste of the lemon provides a perfect counterpoint to the sweet honey in the recipe.
Often appears as...
- serve as a counterpoint
- play counterpoint
noun
The combining of distinct melodic lines in music.
His counterpoint technique contributed greatly to the complexity and richness of his compositions.
Often appears as...
- counterpoint in music
- complex counterpoint
Usage tips
Technical
Definition 1 of 2
Pro Tip 1/3Enhancing Interest
Counterpoint adds intrigue or piquancy to something, often by being contrasting or unexpected.
The vintage decor was a delightful counterpoint to the modern architecture.
Pro Tip 2/3Unexpected Pairing
Counterpoint can involve a surprising combination that works well together, creating a unique effect.
In his speech, he used humor as a counterpoint to the serious subject matter.
Pro Tip 3/3Visual Harmony
In visual arts, counterpoint creates a visual balance by contrasting elements, adding depth.
The splash of red in the painting acts as a counterpoint, drawing the eye.
Compare with
accompanybalancecombinationcontrapuntalcontrastharmonyinterweavepolyphony
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Video examples
To eliminate waste, we...
They understand the value of the second life of products. So, I think thrift is a perfect counterpoint to the current age which we live in. All of our current products are replaceable. When we get that bright, new, shiny toy, it's because, basically, we got rid of the old one.
Video examples
Designing for social...
what would a velarium for our time be I want a gathering space laced into the fabric of the city as a soft counterpoint to hard edge buildings in conversation with changing weather
Video examples
To eliminate waste, we...
They understand the value of the second life of products. So, I think thrift is a perfect counterpoint to the current age which we live in. All of our current products are replaceable. When we get that bright, new, shiny toy, it's because, basically, we got rid of the old one.
Video examples
Designing for social...
what would a velarium for our time be I want a gathering space laced into the fabric of the city as a soft counterpoint to hard edge buildings in conversation with changing weather
Example 1 of 2
Quote examples
Jason Becker
American Musician
I spend time editing and massaging each note. Then I start layering with different instruments, adding harmonies, counterpoint, and whatever the song calls for. Then I arrange it into a whole piece, and decide where I need to add live musicians. It takes a lot of time, but it is very satisfying once it is complete.
Quote examples
Kate Christensen
American Novelist
After a day of writing, I love nothing more than to go into my kitchen and start chopping onions and garlic on the way to cooking an improvised meal with whatever ingredients are on hand. Cooking is the perfect counterpoint to writing. I find it more relaxing than anything else, even naps, walks, or hot baths.
Quote examples
Zhou Qunfei
Chinese Businesswoman
A round or a square product was easily made, except for an oval one, at that time when watch industry mainly relied on hand-made or semi-automatic equipments. It is like the printing and coat film of the mobile phone, which is difficult to realize counterpoint.
Quote examples
Hans Hofmann
German Artist
Color is a plastic means of creating intervals... color harmonics produced by special relationships, or tensions. We differentiate now between formal tensions and color tensions, just as we differentiate in music between counterpoint and harmony.
Quote examples
Rachel Hollis
American Author
Being a boss takes guts and tenacity. Being a boss takes hustle and strength. Getting to the level of boss takes hard work - often times, harder than our male counterpoint because in many industries, we're fighting our way into a boys' club.
Quote examples
Mike Figgis
English Director
There's a sadness to the human condition that I think music is good for. It gives a counterpoint to the visual beauty, and adds depth to pictures that they wouldn't have if the music wasn't there.
Quote examples
Karen O
South Korean Musician
I feel like there's a hunger in the culture now for the live experience maybe as a counterpoint to the more sort of synthetic lives that we've been living.
Quote examples
Anish Kapoor
Indian Artist
The work itself has a complete circle of meaning and counterpoint. And without your involvement as a viewer, there is no story.
Quote examples
Krzysztof Penderecki
Polish Composer
I started studying counterpoint and theory with a physicist whose hobby was music.
Quote examples
Jonathan Levine
American Director
I really like it when movies take a song and use it to counterpoint a scene.
Quote examples
Jason Becker
American Musician
I spend time editing and massaging each note. Then I start layering with different instruments, adding harmonies, counterpoint, and whatever the song calls for. Then I arrange it into a whole piece, and decide where I need to add live musicians. It takes a lot of time, but it is very satisfying once it is complete.
Quote examples
Kate Christensen
American Novelist
After a day of writing, I love nothing more than to go into my kitchen and start chopping onions and garlic on the way to cooking an improvised meal with whatever ingredients are on hand. Cooking is the perfect counterpoint to writing. I find it more relaxing than anything else, even naps, walks, or hot baths.
Quote examples
Zhou Qunfei
Chinese Businesswoman
A round or a square product was easily made, except for an oval one, at that time when watch industry mainly relied on hand-made or semi-automatic equipments. It is like the printing and coat film of the mobile phone, which is difficult to realize counterpoint.
Quote examples
Hans Hofmann
German Artist
Color is a plastic means of creating intervals... color harmonics produced by special relationships, or tensions. We differentiate now between formal tensions and color tensions, just as we differentiate in music between counterpoint and harmony.
Quote examples
Rachel Hollis
American Author
Being a boss takes guts and tenacity. Being a boss takes hustle and strength. Getting to the level of boss takes hard work - often times, harder than our male counterpoint because in many industries, we're fighting our way into a boys' club.
Quote examples
Mike Figgis
English Director
There's a sadness to the human condition that I think music is good for. It gives a counterpoint to the visual beauty, and adds depth to pictures that they wouldn't have if the music wasn't there.
Quote examples
Karen O
South Korean Musician
I feel like there's a hunger in the culture now for the live experience maybe as a counterpoint to the more sort of synthetic lives that we've been living.
Quote examples
Anish Kapoor
Indian Artist
The work itself has a complete circle of meaning and counterpoint. And without your involvement as a viewer, there is no story.
Quote examples
Krzysztof Penderecki
Polish Composer
I started studying counterpoint and theory with a physicist whose hobby was music.
Quote examples
Jonathan Levine
American Director
I really like it when movies take a song and use it to counterpoint a scene.
Example 1 of 10
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