counter

The word “counter” means a flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business. In plain terms, a flat surface for serving or working — or, as a verb, to respond to or oppose something.

“Counter” is pronounced KOWN-tuh (/ˈkaʊn.tɚ/ in IPA).

Here is “counter” used in a sentence: “She set the groceries down on the kitchen counter.”

Words with a similar meaning to “counter” include measure word.

Depending on how it is used, “counter” can be a noun, a verb and an adverb.

The word “counter” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman countour, related to Latin computō — the same root as "count" and "computer.".

“Counter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.

“Counter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business.

A counter is the whole flat structure where business or food preparation happens, often including cabinets or storage beneath it. A countertop refers specifically to the top surface — the slab of granite, laminate, or wood you work on. In casual speech, though, many people use the two words to mean the same thing.

Counters take their name from their use. A kitchen counter is for preparing food, a checkout or sales counter is where you pay in a shop, a reception counter greets visitors, and a bar counter serves drinks. All share the same idea: a flat surface for serving, working, or conducting business.

The checkout counter in a supermarket is a common example — a flat surface where a cashier serves customers and takes payment. Other everyday examples include a kitchen counter for chopping vegetables, a bank counter for handling transactions, and the counter at a café where drinks are ordered and collected.