counterpoint

American  

[koun-ter-point] / ˈkaʊn tərˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. Music. the art of combining melodies.

2. Music. the texture resulting from the combining of individual melodic lines.

3. a melody composed to be combined with another melody.

4. Also called counterpoint rhythm.  Prosody. syncopation.

5. any element that is juxtaposed and contrasted with another.

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verb (used with object)

counterpoints, present (3rd person singular) counterpointed, past participle, past counterpointing present participle

1. to emphasize or clarify by contrast or juxtaposition.

counterpoint British  

/ ˈkaʊntəˌpɔɪnt /

noun

1. the technique involving the simultaneous sounding of two or more parts or melodies

2. a melody or part combined with another melody or part See also descant

3. the musical texture resulting from the simultaneous sounding of two or more melodies or parts

4. the application of the rules of counterpoint as an academic exercise

5. a contrasting or interacting element, theme, or item; foil

6. prosody the use of a stress or stresses at variance with the regular metrical stress

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verb

1. (tr) to set in contrast

counterpoint Cultural  

1. The use of two or more melodies at the same time in a piece of music; it was an important part of baroque music. Certain composers, such as Johann Sebastian Bach, have been especially skillful at counterpoint.

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Other Word Forms

Conjugated Forms

Present

• have counterpointed
  perfect
• has counterpointed
  perfect 3rd person singular
• are counterpointing
  progressive
• has been counterpointing
  perfect progressive 3rd person singular
• is counterpointing
  progressive 3rd person singular
• have been counterpointing
  perfect progressive
• counterpoints
  singular 3rd person
• am counterpointing
  progressive 1st person singular
• counterpointing
  participle

Past

• had counterpointed
  perfect
• were counterpointing
  progressive plural
• had been counterpointing
  perfect progressive
• was counterpointing
  progressive singular
• counterpointed
  participle
• counterpointed
  simple

Future

• will counterpoint
  simple
• will have counterpointed
  perfect
• will be counterpointing
  progressive
• will have been counterpointing
  perfect progressive

Etymology

Origin of counterpoint

1400–50; late Middle English < Middle French contrepoint, translation of Medieval Latin ( cantus ) contrāpūnctus literally, (song) pointed or pricked against, referring to notes of an accompaniment written over or under the notes of a plainsong. See counter-, point

Explanation

A counterpoint is something that contrasts, and to counterpoint is to provide a contrast. In music, counterpoint is when two separate melodies are played or sung at the same time. When a composer writes a piece of music using voices that follow different rhythms or pitches but ultimately come together harmonically, she uses counterpoint. And if you're on the school debate time, you might offer a counterpoint to an opponent's argument. You can also use this word as a verb to mean "to highlight difference:" "My tidy bookshelves counterpoint the mess of papers and books on my desk."

Example Sentences

Pork chops have a long-standing relationship with applesauce — something sweet on the side, a soft counterpoint to the richness.

From Salon • Apr. 10, 2026

Of course, Woodland has never led the harshly spot-lit life of Woods, but his openness regarding his struggles is an interesting counterpoint to Tiger's ultra-private existence.

From BBC • Mar. 30, 2026

Thanks to his subject matter and materials, Mr. Otsuki’s work feels timeless, while his intentional, unshowy formal choices make it an invigorating counterpoint to so much of the noisy art popular at the moment.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 26, 2026

Powell’s counterpoint is that while those possibilities are incorporated into the Fed’s projections, their magnitude and persistence remain uncertain.

From Barron's • Feb. 18, 2026

He truly was a master of the counterpoint form.

From "The Story of Music" by Howard Goodall