How to pronounce contrast
Say it like KAHN-trast. Contrast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce contrast. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- KAHN
- trast
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Contrast pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- KAHNSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- trastKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
American vs British pronunciation of contrast
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- British speakers use the long "ah" vowel of father where Americans use the "a" of cat.
British respelling: KON-trahst.
Other ways to say contrast
Contrast also has this pronunciation, usually with a different meaning or use:
- kun-TRAST /kənˈtræst/
What does contrast mean?
- the opposition or dissimilarity of things that are compared“in contrast to”“by contrast”
- the act of distinguishing by comparing differences
- a conceptual separation or distinction“there is a narrow line between sanity and insanity”
- put in opposition to show or emphasize differences“The middle school teacher contrasted her best student's work with that of her weakest student”
- to show differences when compared; be different“the students contrast considerably in their artistic abilities”
Where does contrast come from?
From French contraster, from Latin contrāstāre (“to resist", "to withstand”), from contrā (“against”) + stō, stāre (“to stand”).
Questions about saying contrast
How do you pronounce contrast?
Say KAHN-trast. The American pronunciation is /ˈkɑntræst/. In British English it is /ˈkɒntrɑːst/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in contrast?
Contrast has two syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (KAHN). Broken into parts: KAHN · trast.
Is contrast pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈkɒntrɑːst/ (KON-trahst).