counter
KOWN-tuh
Counter (noun) means a flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business. Example: “She set the groceries down on the kitchen counter.”
noun
1
A flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business.
"She set the groceries down on the kitchen counter."
"The clerk rang up the sale at the counter."
"Please wait at the counter and someone will serve you shortly."
2
A device or variable that keeps track of a running total.
"The hit counter on the website ticked past a million visits."
"The pedometer counter showed how many steps she had taken that day."
"Each time a customer walks in, the counter goes up by one."
verb
1
To respond to or oppose an action, argument, or attack.
"She countered his objection with solid evidence."
"The boxer countered with a quick jab."
"The government countered the rumours by publishing the full report online."
adv
1
In the opposite direction or contrary to something.
"His actions ran counter to everything the company stood for."
"The results run counter to what most scientists had expected."
"He acted counter to his doctor's advice and went back to work early."
How to use counter
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA flat surface for serving or working — or, as a verb, to respond to or oppose something.
Common pairings
kitchen counter
counter an argument
run counter to
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Word forms
- Plural
- counters
- Third person singular
- counters
- Past tense
- countered
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She set the groceries down on the kitchen _____.
Etymology
From Anglo-Norman countour, related to Latin computō — the same root as "count" and "computer."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for counter
See all rhymes for counter →Frequently asked questions
What does “counter” mean?
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.
How do you pronounce “counter”?
“Counter” is pronounced KOWN-tuh (/ˈkaʊn.tɚ/ in IPA).
How do you use “counter” in a sentence?
Here is “counter” used in a sentence: “She set the groceries down on the kitchen counter.”
What is another word for “counter”?
Words with a similar meaning to “counter” include measure word.
What part of speech is “counter”?
Depending on how it is used, “counter” can be a noun, a verb and an adverb.
Where does the word “counter” come from?
The word “counter” comes from Latin. From Anglo-Norman countour, related to Latin computō — the same root as "count" and "computer.".
Is “counter” a common word?
“Counter” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the B1 level.
How many meanings does “counter” have?
“Counter” has 4 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a flat surface for serving customers, preparing food, or conducting business.
What is the difference between a counter and a countertop?
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.
What are the types of counters?
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.
What is an example of a counter?
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.
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