|
  • Search Results
  • Advanced Search
  • List Builder
  • Random Word

counter

A counter is a surface used for making transactions in a store or in a home kitchen for preparing food. In a store, you pay for items at the counter.

When counter is a verb, it means "to speak up in opposition," like when you counter your opponent's argument in a debate. When something conflicts, you can say it "runs counter to," like a fancy car that runs counter to your philosophy of living simply. You can think of this meaning as "in the opposite direction," like "counter-clockwise," meaning the direction that's opposite of clockwise.

PRIMARY MEANINGS OF: counter

1
 n
a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens
2
 n
table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted
3
 vnadjadv
act in advance of; deal with ahead of time
a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)
indicating opposition or resistance
in the opposite direction
4
 n
a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot
FULL DEFINITIONS OF: counter
1

n a calculator that keeps a record of the number of times something happens

Synonyms:
tabulator
Types:
pulse counter
an electronic counter that counts the number of electric pulses
scaler
an electronic pulse counter used to count pulses that occur too rapidly to be recorded individually
Type of:
calculating machine, calculator
a small machine that is used for mathematical calculations

n a person who counts things

Type of:
individual, mortal, person, somebody, someone, soul
a human being

n game equipment (as a piece of wood, plastic, or ivory) used for keeping a count or reserving a space in various card or board games

Types:
chip, poker chip
a small disk-shaped counter used to represent money when gambling
blue chip
a blue poker chip with the highest value
Type of:
game equipment
equipment or apparatus used in playing a game

n (computer science) a register whose contents go through a regular series of states (usually states indicating consecutive integers)

Type of:
register
(computer science) memory device that is the part of computer memory that has a specific address and that is used to hold information of a specific kind
2

n table consisting of a horizontal surface over which business is transacted

Types:
show 13 types...
hide 13 types...
bar
a counter where you can obtain food or drink
checkout, checkout counter
a counter in a supermarket where you pay for your purchases
meat counter
counter where meats are displayed for sale
notions counter
counter where notions are sold
reception desk
a counter (as in a hotel) where guests are received
cash bar
a counter at a large party where you can purchase drinks by the glass
oyster bar
a bar (as in a restaurant) that specializes in oysters prepared in different ways
salad bar
a bar where diners can assemble a salad to their own taste
buffet, snack bar, snack counter
usually inexpensive bar
soda fountain
a counter where ice cream and sodas and sundaes are prepared and served
sushi bar
a bar where sushi is served
wet bar
a bar for mixing drinks that has a sink with running water
wine bar
a bar that serves only wine
Type of:
table
a piece of furniture having a smooth flat top that is usually supported by one or more vertical legs

n a piece of furniture that stands at the side of a dining room; has shelves and drawers

Synonyms:
buffet, sideboard
Types:
credence, credenza
a kind of sideboard or buffet
cellaret, minibar
sideboard with compartments for holding bottles
Type of:
article of furniture, furniture, piece of furniture
furnishings that make a room or other area ready for occupancy
3

v act in advance of; deal with ahead of time

Synonyms:
anticipate, foresee, forestall
Type of:
act, move
perform an action, or work out or perform (an action)

v speak in response

“He countered with some very persuasive arguments”
Type of:
answer, reply, respond
react verbally

n a quick reply to a question or remark (especially a witty or critical one)

Synonyms:
comeback, rejoinder, replication, retort, return, riposte
Types:
back talk, backtalk, lip, mouth, sass, sassing
an impudent or insolent rejoinder
Type of:
reply, response
the speech act of continuing a conversational exchange

n a return punch (especially by a boxer)

Synonyms:
counterpunch, parry
Type of:
biff, clout, lick, poke, punch, slug
(boxing) a blow with the fist

adj indicating opposition or resistance

Synonyms:
antagonistic
negative
characterized by or displaying negation or denial or opposition or resistance; having no positive features

adv in the opposite direction

“run counter”
4

n a piece of leather forming the back of a shoe or boot

“a counter may be used to stiffen the material around the heel and to give support to the foot”
Synonyms:
heel counter
Type of:
piece of leather
a separate part consisting of leather
Learn Launch
WORD FAMILY
USAGE EXAMPLES