Counterpart: meaning, definitions and examples

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counterpart

 

[ ˈkaʊntərpɑːrt ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

noun

A person or thing that corresponds to or has the same function as another person or thing in a different place or situation.

Synonyms

complement, equivalent, match, peer

Examples of usage

  • The Secretary of State met his French counterpart.
  • She needed to find her male counterpart for the dance competition.
  • The American counterpart to the British Parliament is the Congress.
  • In many cultures, there are male and female counterparts for various roles.
Context #2 | Noun

noun

A person or thing that plays a complementary role to another.

Synonyms

contrast, counterbalance, foil, opposite

Examples of usage

  • In the movie, the villain is the counterpart to the hero.
  • Her calm demeanor was the perfect counterpart to his energetic personality.
Context #3 | Noun

noun

A duplicate or copy of something, especially an official document.

Synonyms

copy, duplicate, replica, twin

Examples of usage

  • Make sure to keep a counterpart of this important contract.
  • The lawyer filed the counterpart of the legal agreement.

Translations

Translations of the word "counterpart" in other languages:

🇵🇹 contraparte

🇮🇳 समकक्ष

🇩🇪 Gegenstück

🇮🇩 mitra

🇺🇦 контрагент

🇵🇱 odpowiednik

🇯🇵 対応するもの

🇫🇷 contrepartie

🇪🇸 contraparte

🇹🇷 karşılık

🇰🇷 상대

🇸🇦 نظير

🇨🇿 protějšek

🇸🇰 protivník

🇨🇳 对应物

🇸🇮 nasprotnik

🇮🇸 móti

🇰🇿 тұстас

🇬🇪 ანალოგი

🇦🇿 qarşı tərəf

🇲🇽 contraparte

Word origin

The word 'counterpart' originated in Middle English from the Old French word 'contrepartie', which is a combination of 'contre' (against) and 'partie' (part). The term was first used in the 15th century to refer to a duplicate or copy of a legal document. Over time, its meaning expanded to include a person or thing that corresponds to or complements another. Today, 'counterpart' is commonly used in various contexts to describe equivalence, complementarity, or duplication.

See also: apart, impart, multipart, part, partable, partial, partially, participate, particle, particular, parting, partisan, partition, partitive, partly, partner, partook, parts, partway, party.