counter

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

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See synonyms for: counter / countered / countering / counters on Thesaurus.com

noun

a table or display case on which goods can be shown, business transacted, etc.

(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.

a surface for the preparation of food in a kitchen, especially on a low cabinet.

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.

an imitation coin or token.

a coin; money.

QUIZ

THINGAMABOB OR THINGUMMY: CAN YOU DISTINGUISH BETWEEN THE US AND UK TERMS IN THIS QUIZ?

Do you know the difference between everyday US and UK terminology? Test yourself with this quiz on words that differ across the Atlantic.

Question 1 of 7

In the UK, COTTON CANDY is more commonly known as…

candystring

candyfloss

candypuff

TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Idioms about counter

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.

under the counter, in a clandestine manner, especially illegally: books sold under the counter.

Origin of counter

First recorded in 1300–50; Middle English countour, from Anglo-French (Old French comptoir ), from Medieval Latin computātorium “place for computing,” equivalent to Latin computā(re) “to think, calculate” + -tōrium noun suffix; see compute, -tory²; cf. count¹

Other definitions for counter (2 of 5)

counter²

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

noun

a device for counting revolutions of a wheel, items produced, etc.

a person who counts.

Cards. card counter.

Computers. a storage register or program variable used to tally how often something of interest occurs.

Electronics. scaler (def. 2).

Physics. any of various instruments for detecting ionizing radiation and for registering counts.See also Geiger counter.

Origin of counter

First recorded in 1325–75; Middle English countour, from Anglo-French (Old French conteor ), ultimately derived from Latin computātor, equivalent to computā(re) “to think, calculate” + -tor noun suffix; see compute, -tor

Other definitions for counter (3 of 5)

counter³

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

adverb

in the wrong way; contrary to the right course; in the reverse or opposite direction.

contrary; in opposition (usually preceded by run or go): to run counter to the rules.

adjective

opposite; contrary; opposed.

noun

something that is opposite or contrary to something else.

a blow delivered in receiving or parrying another blow, as in boxing.

a statement or action made to refute, oppose, or nullify another statement or action.

Fencing. a circular parry.

a piece of leather or other material inserted between the lining and outside leather of a shoe or boot quarter to keep it stiff.

Nautical. the part of a stern that overhangs and projects aft of the sternpost of a vessel.

Also called void. Typesetting. any part of the face of a type that is less than type-high and is therefore not inked.

Engineering, Building Trades. a truss member subject to stress only under certain partial loadings of the truss.

the part of a horse's breast that lies between the shoulders and under the neck.

verb (used with object)

to go counter to; oppose; controvert.

to meet or answer (a move, blow, etc.) by another in return.

verb (used without object)

to make a counter or opposing move.

to give a blow while receiving or parrying one, as in boxing.

Origin of counter

First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English countre, from Anglo-French co(u)ntre, cuntre,Old French contre, from Latin contrā “against”; see counter-

Other definitions for counter (4 of 5)

counter⁴

[ koun-ter ]

/ ˈkaʊn tər /

verb (used with object)

to encounter in opposition or combat.

Origin of counter

⁴

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English countren, aphetic variant of acountren, from Middle French acontrer; see a-⁵, encounter

Other definitions for counter (5 of 5)

counter-

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).

Origin of counter-

Middle English countre-;see counter³

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

WORDS THAT USE COUNTER-

What does counter- mean?

Counter– is a combining form used like a prefix with a variety of meanings, primarily meaning “against,” “contrary,” or “opposite.” It is often used in everyday and technical terms.

Counter– comes from Middle English countre-, meaning “against.” A related prefix is contra–, as in contraindicate, meaning “against,” from Latin contrā. Find out more at our entries for contra– and contraindicate.

Examples of counter-

An example of a word you may have encountered that features counter– is counteract, “to act in opposition to.”

While counter– means “against,” the –act portion of the word refers to “anything done,” as in “deed,” from Latin ācta. Counteract literally translates to “against something being done.”

What are some words that use the combining form counter-?

counterbalance
counterfeit (using the equivalent form of counter– in Middle English)
countermand (using the equivalent form of counter– in Middle English)
counterspy
countersue

What are some other forms that counter– may be commonly confused with?

con-
coro-

Not every word that begins with the exact letters counter-, such as countertop or counterman, is necessarily using the combining form counter– to denote “against.” Learn why countertop means “surface” at our entry for the word.

Break it down!

Given the meaning of the combining form counter-, what does counterbalance literally mean?

How to use counter in a sentence

When Chérif got out of prison, he worked at the fish counter of a supermarket.
France Mourns—and Hunts|Nico Hines, Christopher Dickey|January 8, 2015|DAILY BEAST
This led to the formation of a Christian militant group to counter the rebels, and all-out sectarian violence exploded.
The Year’s Most Forgotten Humanitarian Crisis|Nina Strochlic|January 1, 2015|DAILY BEAST
It seemed gratuitous and counter-intuitive in a story that had already inflicted more than enough suffering.
How Dickens and Scrooge Saved Christmas|Clive Irving|December 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Then the sun went down and the anger came back as a “Thank You NYPD” rally traded insults with counter-protestors.
NYC’s Garner Protesters vs. Pro-Cop Protesters|Jacob Siegel|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST

If you need to store the bottle in the fridge, let it warm up for a few minutes on the counter before serving.
Champagne: You’re Drinking It All Wrong|Kayleigh Kulp|December 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
On to Gaba Tepe just in time to see the opening, the climax and the end of the dreaded Turkish counter attack.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Our beloved Queen had drawn the teeth of the Turkish counter-attack on our extreme left.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
Thereupon, I gave the word for a general counter-attack and our line began to advance.
Gallipoli Diary, Volume I|Ian Hamilton
The handkerchief glimmered on the counter, more white than anything else in that grey dusk.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett
She preceded him along a passage and then, taking a door on the left, found herself surprisingly in the shop, behind a counter.
Hilda Lessways|Arnold Bennett

British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 4)

counter¹

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

noun

a horizontal surface, as in a shop or bank, over which business is transacted

(in some cafeterias) a long table on which food is served to customers

a small flat disc of wood, metal, or plastic, used in various board games
a similar disc or token used as an imitation coin

a person or thing that may be used or manipulated

a skating figure consisting of three circles

under the counter (under-the-counter when prenominal) (of the sale of goods, esp goods in short supply) clandestine, surreptitious, or illegal; not in an open manner

over the counter (over-the-counter when prenominal) (of security transactions) through a broker rather than on a stock exchange

Word Origin for counter

C14: from Old French comptouer, ultimately from Latin computāre to compute

British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 4)

counter²

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

adverb

in a contrary direction or manner

in a wrong or reverse direction

run counter to to have a contrary effect or action to

adjective

opposing; opposite; contrary

noun

something that is contrary or opposite to some other thing

an act, effect, or force that opposes another

a return attack, such as a blow in boxing

fencing a parry in which the foils move in a circular fashion

the portion of the stern of a boat or ship that overhangs the water aft of the rudder

Also called: void printing the inside area of a typeface that is not type high, such as the centre of an "o", and therefore does not print

the part of a horse's breast under the neck and between the shoulders

a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe

verb

to say or do (something) in retaliation or response

(tr) to move, act, or perform in a manner or direction opposite to (a person or thing)

to return the attack of (an opponent)

Word Origin for counter

C15: from Old French contre, from Latin contrā against

British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 4)

counter³

/ (ˈkaʊntə) /

noun

a person who counts

an apparatus that records the number of occurrences of events

any instrument for detecting or counting ionizing particles or photonsSee Geiger counter, scintillation counter, crystal counter

electronics another name for scaler (def. 2)

Word Origin for counter

C14: from Old French conteor, from Latin computātor; see count 1

British Dictionary definitions for counter (4 of 4)

counter-

prefix

against; opposite; contrarycounterattack

complementary; correspondingcounterfoil

duplicate or substitutecounterfeit

Word Origin for counter-

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

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Idioms and Phrases with counter

counter

see run counter to; under the counter.

counter

Idioms about counter

Origin of counter

Other definitions for counter (2 of 5)

Origin of counter

Other definitions for counter (3 of 5)

Origin of counter

Other definitions for counter (4 of 5)

Origin of counter

Other definitions for counter (5 of 5)

Origin of counter-

WORDS THAT USE COUNTER-

What does counter- mean?

Examples of counter-

Break it down!

Words related to counter

How to use counter in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for counter (1 of 4)

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (2 of 4)

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (3 of 4)

Word Origin for counter

British Dictionary definitions for counter (4 of 4)

Word Origin for counter-

Other Idioms and Phrases with counter