counterpart
Americannoun
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a person or thing closely resembling another, especially in function.
Our president is the counterpart of your prime minister.
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a copy; duplicate.
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Law. a duplicate or copy of an indenture.
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one of two parts that fit, complete, or complement one another.
noun
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a person or thing identical to or closely resembling another
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one of two parts that complement or correspond to each other
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a person acting opposite another in a play
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a duplicate, esp of a legal document; copy
Etymology
Origin of counterpart
late Middle English word dating back to 1425–75; see origin at counter-, part
Explanation
If you leap tall buildings in a single bound for the Des Moines branch of your corporation, then your Metropolis counterpart might be Superman. That means you and Superman do similar jobs, but in different locations. The noun counterpart comes from the French word countre part, meaning “duplicate of a legal document.” In legal circles counterpart still means "a duplicate document," but today it is more likely to describe people. Counterparts aren't duplicates, of course, but they have similar skills and responsibilities. If you play soccer, your counterpart is the player on the other team who plays the same position.
Vocabulary lists containing counterpart
Against All Odds: Contra and Counter
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Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them
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List 1
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Steve Clarke has been branded "unprofessional" by Norway counterpart Stale Solbakken after the Scotland head coach cancelled a training-ground friendly as both sides prepare for the start of the World Cup.
From BBC • Jun. 8, 2026
The weekly paycheck for the median male full-time wage-and-salary worker in 2025—$1,325—was roughly the same, adjusted for inflation, as his counterpart earned in 1979.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 31, 2026
He said the United States sought "respectful" and "good-faith" engagement with Beijing, adding: "I wish my counterpart was here at this conference, but I look forward to other options when we can cross paths."
From Barron's • May 30, 2026
During the Getty Center’s closure, its coastal counterpart, the Getty Villa, will remain open to the public and house a special collection of works borrowed from the Center.
From Los Angeles Times • May 28, 2026
Seconds later, they heard the roar of the crowd, which meant Cedric had entered the enclosure and was now face-to-face with the living counterpart of his model.
From "Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire" by J. K. Rowling
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
