Counter
/ˈkaʊntər/
Definitions
6 meaningsA long, flat surface, often in a shop or kitchen, used for serving customers or preparing food.
/ˈkaʊntər/
A long, flat surface
The butcher displayed the meat on the counter.
💡 Simply: It's like a big table where you can buy things or make food. Imagine the checkout in a store or the place where you chop veggies.
👶 For kids: It's like a flat table where you buy things or make food.
More Examples
The customers lined up at the counter to order.
She leaned against the counter, waiting for her coffee.
How It's Used
"The cashier rang up the groceries at the counter."
"She placed the freshly baked cookies on the kitchen counter to cool."
A device that records the number of times something happens.
/ˈkaʊntər/
A device that counts
The scientist used a Geiger counter to detect radiation.
💡 Simply: A machine or tool that helps you keep track of how many times something happens. Like a clicker to count how many people enter a room.
👶 For kids: It's like a machine that counts things, like how many toys you have!
More Examples
The digital counter recorded the number of visitors to the website.
The production line used a counter to track the number of items made.
How It's Used
"The electronic counter displayed the number of pulses."
"The company used a counter to track website visits."
A person who counts; a calculator (historical usage).
/ˈkaʊntər/
A person who counts
The counter carefully tallied the inventory.
💡 Simply: In the old days, a counter was like a bookkeeper. They'd be the ones carefully checking and recording numbers, mostly financial.
👶 For kids: Someone who counts things. Like counting all the coins.
More Examples
The historical document mentioned the role of the royal counter.
The medieval guild employed a counter to manage its accounts.
How It's Used
"The royal counter kept track of the kingdom's finances."
To speak or act in opposition to something.
/ˈkaʊntər/
To speak or act in opposition
She countered his claim with evidence of her own.
💡 Simply: To respond to something by doing the opposite or by saying something different. Think of it as a comeback.
👶 For kids: To do the opposite of what someone else does or says.
More Examples
The lawyer countered the prosecutor's accusations.
The boxer countered his opponent's punch with a quick jab.
How It's Used
"He countered the argument with a strong defense of his own position."
"The general ordered his troops to counter the enemy's advance."
To neutralize the effect of something, to respond defensively or strategically.
/ˈkaʊntər/
To make a move or response that nullifies or reverses the effect of another
The company countered the negative publicity with a new advertising campaign.
💡 Simply: To react in a way that stops something from working or succeeding. In a game, to nullify your opponent's attack.
👶 For kids: To stop something bad from happening by doing something else.
More Examples
The government countered the economic downturn with stimulus packages.
He countered the accusations with a detailed explanation.
How It's Used
"She countered his opening move with a strong defense."
"The team countered their opponent's offensive strategy."
In the opposite direction or way.
/ˈkaʊntər/
In the opposite direction
He turned the wheel counter to correct the car's skid.
💡 Simply: Going against something, like turning in the opposite direction.
👶 For kids: Going the other way!
More Examples
The dancers moved counter to each other during the performance.
The wind blew counter to the boat's course.
How It's Used
"The player jumped counter to the ball's direction."
Synonyms & Antonyms
Idioms & expressions
counter intelligence
Activities intended to prevent espionage, sabotage, or other threats by an enemy or foreign organization.
"The agency's counter intelligence efforts were crucial during the Cold War."
run counter to
To be in opposition to something or contradict it; to go against.
"His actions run counter to his stated principles."
From Old French *contre* (against, opposite) and Latin *contra* (against). Originally meant 'to go against' or 'oppose'.
The term 'counter' to mean a counting device or a person performing a count can be found in texts dating back to the Middle Ages.
Memory tip
Think of where you pay for things in a store.
Word Origin
"against, opposite"