counter-

UK: /ˈkaʊntə^r-/

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

counter- prefix

1. against; opposite; contrary: counterattack
2. complementary; corresponding: counterfoil

Etymology: via Norman French from Latin contrā against, opposite; see contra-

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2026

count•er¹ /ˈkaʊntɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a table or surface on which goods can be shown, etc.:
   Bring your goods to the checkout counter.
2. (in restaurants, etc.) a long, narrow table with stools for the customers, behind which meals are prepared and served:
   The waitress tossed our food down on the counter.
3. a long, flat surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen:
   Just put the dishes on the counter for now.
4. Games anything used to keep account, esp. a disk or other small object used in a game, as checkers.

Idioms

5. Idioms, Business over the counter, [uncountable]
   • (of the sale of stock) through a broker's office rather than through the stock exchange.
   • (of the sale of medicinal drugs) without requiring a prescription:
     You can buy that drug over the counter in any shop.
6. Idioms, Business under the counter, [uncountable] illegally:
   If we buy the tickets under the counter using dollars, we'll get a much better price and exchange rate.

count•er² /ˈkaʊntɚ/   n. [countable]

1. a person or thing that counts.
2. Physics an instrument for detecting and registering radiation.

coun•ter³ /ˈkaʊntɚ/   adv. 

1. in the reverse direction;
   contrary:
   [~ + to + object] This ran counter to what we expected.

adj. [be + ~ + to + object]

2. opposite;
   opposed;
   contrary:
   The attack was counter to our expectations.

n. [countable]

3. something opposite or contrary to something else, such as a statement or action made to oppose another:
   He made a quick counter to the guard's remark about ignorant tourists.

v. [~ + object]

4. to oppose, esp. so as to weaken:
   I countered her arguments by pointing out the advantages of my plan.

counter-, [prefix.]

1. counter- has the meaning "against, counter to, opposed to.'' This meaning is found in such words as: counterattack, counterclockwise.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2026

count•er¹  (koun′tər), n. 

1. a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc.
2. (in restaurants, luncheonettes, etc.) a long, narrow table with stools or chairs along one side for the patrons, behind which refreshments or meals are prepared and served.
3. a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, esp. on a low cabinet.
4. Games anything used in keeping account, as a disk of metal or wood, used in some games, as checkers, for marking a player's position or for keeping score.
5. an imitation coin or token.
6. a coin;
   money.
7. Business over the counter:
   • (of the sale of stock) through a broker's office rather than through the stock exchange.
   • (of the sale of merchandise) through a retail store rather than through a wholesaler.
8. Idioms, Business under the counter, in a clandestine manner, esp. illegally:
   books sold under the counter.

• Medieval Latin computātorium place for computing, equivalent. to Latin computā(re) to compute + -tōrium -tory²; compare count¹
• Anglo-French (Old French comptoir)
• Middle English countour 1300–50

count•er²  (koun′tər), n. 

1. a person who counts.
2. a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc.
3. Games [Cards.] See card counter. 
4. Computing a storage register or program variable used to tally how often something of interest occurs.
5. Electronics scaler (def. 2).
6. [Physics.] any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts. Cf. Geiger counter.

• Anglo-French (Old French conteor) Latin computātor, equivalent. to computā(re) to compute + -tor -tor
• Middle English countour 1325–75

coun•ter³  (koun′tər), adv. 

1. in the wrong way;
   contrary to the right course;
   in the reverse or opposite direction.
2. contrary;
   in opposition (usually prec. by run or go):
   to run counter to the rules.

adj. 

3. opposite;
   opposed;
   contrary.

n. 

4. something that is opposite or contrary to something else.
5. a blow delivered in receiving or parrying another blow, as in boxing.
6. a statement or action made to refute, oppose, or nullify another statement or action.
7. Sport [Fencing.] a circular parry.
8. Clothing a piece of leather or other material inserted between the lining and outside leather of a shoe or boot quarter to keep it stiff.
9. Nautical, Naval Terms the part of a stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost of a vessel.
10. Printing Also called void. [Typesetting.] any part of the face of a type that is less than type-high and is therefore not inked.
11. Building, Civil Engineering [Engin., Building Trades.] a truss member subject to stress only under certain partial loadings of the truss.
12. Zoology the part of a horse's breast that lies between the shoulders and under the neck.

v.t. 

13. to go counter to;
    oppose;
    controvert.
14. to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.

v.i. 

15. to make a counter or opposing move.
16. to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.

• Latin contrā against. See counter-
• Anglo-French co(u)ntre, cuntre, Old French contre
• late Middle English countre 1400–50

coun•ter⁴  (koun′tər), v.t. 

1. to encounter in opposition or combat.

• Middle French acontrer. See a-⁵, encounter
• Middle English countren, aphetic variant of acountren 1250–1300

counter-, 

1. a combining form of counter³, used with the meanings "against,'' "contrary,'' "opposite,'' "in opposition or response to'' (countermand);
   "complementary,'' "in reciprocation,'' "corresponding,'' "parallel'' (counterfoil;
   counterbalance);
   "substitute,'' "duplicate'' (counterfeit).

• see counter³ Middle English countre-