[C,U] a difference between people, ideas, situations, things etc that are being compared

差异，差别:

While there are similarities in the two cultures, there are also great contrasts.

这两种文化虽然有许多相似之处，但也有巨大的差异。

the economic and social contrasts between the poor and the rich

贫富之间的经济和社会差异

The marble is smooth and polished, making a strong contrast with the worn stonework around it.

大理石平滑光洁，和周围破旧的石造部分形成了强烈的对比。

The birth rate for older women has declined, but, by contrast, births to teenage mothers have increased.

大龄女性的生育率已有下降，但相比之下少女妈妈的生育率却上升了。

The stock lost 60 cents a share, in contrast to last year, when it gained 21 cents.

这支股票每股跌了 60 美分，和去年上涨 21 美分形成了对比。

The winter heatwave in California is a stark contrast to the below-freezing temperatures on the East Coast.

加州的冬季热浪与东海岸的零下气温形成了鲜明的对比。

The spirited mood on Friday was in sharp contrast to the tense atmosphere last week.

星期五的高涨情绪与上周的紧张气氛形成了明显的对比。

The approach to learning at this school stands in marked contrast to the traditional methods used at other schools nearby.

这所学校的学习方法和附近其他学校所用的传统方法有着明显的不同。

[C] something that is very different from something else

对照物，明显的对比物:

The sauce is quite sweet, so add dried thyme as a contrast.

这调味汁很甜，所以要加点干百里香对冲一下。

The red stems of this bush provide a contrast to the drab brown of the winter garden.

这种灌木红色的茎和冬天里这座花园乏味的棕色形成了对比。

[U] the degree of difference between the light and dark parts of a television picture, X-RAY , PHOTOCOPY etc

〔电视画面、X 光、复印件等的〕对比度，反差:

This button adjusts the contrast.

这个按钮调节对比度。

The chemical heightens contrast between different kinds of tissue in the breast.

这种化学物可以增强乳房不同组织之间的对比度。

[U] the differences in colour, or between light and dark, that an artist uses in paintings or photographs to make a particular effect

〔绘画、照片中颜色、明暗的〕反差，对比:

The artist has used contrast marvelously in his paintings.

那画家在他的画作中出色地运用了色彩的对比。

[I] if two things contrast, the difference between them is very easy to see and is sometimes surprising

对照，对比:

The snow was icy and white, contrasting with the brilliant blue sky.

这雪冰冷洁白，与晴朗的蓝天形成对照。

These results contrast sharply with other medical tests carried out in Australia.

这些结果与在澳大利亚进行的其他医学测试的结果截然不同。

[T] to compare two things, ideas, people etc to show how different they are from each other

使成对比，使成对照:

In another passage, Melville again contrasts the land with the sea.

在另一段落中，梅尔维尔再次把陆地和大海作了对比。

an essay comparing and contrasting (=showing how two things are similar and different) Verdi and Wagner and their operas

把威尔第和瓦格纳以及他们的歌剧进行比较对照的一篇文章