Contrary vs Opposite

When to use each in English, with meaning, register, and examples.

Contrary

Top 3,000 (common) C1 adjective

Opposite

Top 2,000 (common) A1 adjective

Most common: Opposite

	Contrary	Opposite
Pronunciation	🇬🇧 /["/ˈkɒntrəri/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈkɑːntreri/"]/	🇬🇧 /["/ˈɒpəzɪt/"]/ 🇺🇸 /["/ˈɑːpəzɪt/"]/
Meaning	opposite in nature or meaning	Something that is completely different from something else.
Example	His contrary opinion surprised everyone at the meeting.	The opposite of hot is cold.
Register	Neutral	Neutral
How common	Top 3,000 (common)	Top 2,000 (common)
CEFR level	C1	A1
Part of speech	adjective	adjective
Collocations	be, run, seem, completely, directly, entirely, to, contrary to expectations, contrary to popular belief	opposite sides, opposite directions, opposite ends
Antonyms	similar, identical, consistent	same, similar
Common mistakes	'Contrary to' vs 'Contrast to' confusions, Using 'contrary' as an adjective without a proper noun, Mixing up with 'contradictory' in meanings	'Opposite' used as a noun instead of an adjective., Confused with 'contradiction' – 'opposite' refers to direct differences., Using 'opposite' with 'to' instead of 'of' (correct: 'opposite of').
Usage notes	Use 'contrary' in discussions to express an opposing viewpoint. It's more common in formal writing than in casual conversations. Be cautious when using it in everyday speech, as simpler terms like 'opposite' might be more accessible.	Use 'opposite' when describing two things that contrast each other. It’s suitable in most contexts but avoid in overly formal writing.

See it in real clips

Sherlock › S1 E1

There is another camera on the building opposite you. Do you see it?

His window is right opposite hers across the el tracks...

Sherlock › S1 E1

There is another camera on the building opposite you. Do you see it?

His window is right opposite hers across the el tracks...

Opposite

Frequently asked questions: Contrary vs Opposite

What's the difference between Contrary and Opposite?

Contrary: opposite in nature or meaning Opposite: Something that is completely different from something else.

Which is more common: Contrary and Opposite?

Opposite is the most common in everyday English.

Which is more advanced: Contrary and Opposite?

Contrary is the highest level, at C1, on the CEFR scale.

Are Contrary and Opposite the same CEFR level?

Contrary: C1, Opposite: A1 on the CEFR scale.

What part of speech are Contrary and Opposite?

Contrary: adjective, Opposite: adjective.

Can you show an example of each?

Contrary: His contrary opinion surprised everyone at the meeting. Opposite: The opposite of hot is cold.

Can I use Contrary and Opposite interchangeably?

Not always. Contrary and Opposite are related and overlap in some contexts, but they differ in register, how common they are, and usage, so swapping one for another can change the meaning or tone. Check the differences above before substituting.