Counterpart Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

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counterpart

[ˈkaʊntərpɑːrt ]

Definitions

^{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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counterpart	Used when referring to someone or something that has a similar function, position, or role in a different context or organization. The CEO met with his counterpart in the rival company. The British Prime Minister spoke with her counterpart from Canada.
equivalent	Used when something is equal in value, amount, function, or meaning to something else. One dollar is the equivalent of one hundred cents. Her job is equivalent to that of a vice-president in our organization.
match	Used when describing two things that are similar or correspond in some way, especially in terms of suitability or attractiveness. Her skills are a perfect match for the job requirements. The curtains are a lovely match for the sofa.
peer	Used when referring to someone who is equal to another person in social status, ability, or age. She often works better when paired with her peers. His peers at the school all admire his dedication.
complement	Used when referring to something that completes or goes well with another thing, enhancing its qualities. The new software is a perfect complement to our existing system. Red wine is a great complement to steak.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counterpart	This word is used to refer to someone or something that has the same function or role as someone or something else in a different place or situation. The CEO met with his counterpart in the other company to discuss the merger. The French minister is meeting with her German counterpart tomorrow.
counterbalance	This word is used to describe something that offsets the weight or effect of something else, creating a balance. The new regulations are intended to counterbalance the power of large corporations. She used her savings to counterbalance her high monthly expenses.
opposite	This word is used to describe something or someone that is completely different or contrary to something else. They live on opposite sides of the town. His opinions are the exact opposite of mine.
contrast	This term is used when comparing two or more things to highlight their differences. There is a stark contrast between the two styles of architecture. In contrast to her calm demeanor, he was visibly agitated.
foil	Used to describe someone or something that makes another appear better by contrast. The villain often acts as a foil for the hero in the story. Her energetic personality serves as a perfect foil to his laid-back attitude.

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.

Which Synonym Should You Choose?

Word	Description / Examples
counterpart	Refers to something or someone that has the same role or function in a different place or situation. Often used in professional or formal contexts. The CEO met with his counterparts from other companies to discuss the merger. The new regulation was approved by its counterpart in the neighboring state.
copy	Denotes an exact reproduction of an original. It can be used in both formal and informal contexts. Could you please make a copy of this report for me? She handed out copies of the document to everyone in the meeting.
replica	Refers to a close or exact reproduction, often of an original item of value or historical significance. Frequently used in art, antiques, and museum contexts. The museum displayed a replica of the ancient artifact. He gifted her a replica of the famous painting.
duplicate	Implies the creation of an exact copy, often to ensure redundancy or for official purposes. Commonly used in legal and technical contexts. The secretary was asked to prepare a duplicate set of keys. Make sure to duplicate the files before transferring them to the new system.
twin	Used to describe two items that are almost identical. Generally used in casual or everyday situations. She bought twin dresses for her daughters. They noticed that their cars were nearly twins.

Examples of usage

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

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Social Sciences

In sociology, counterparts often refer to individuals or groups in different cultures that perform similar functions in society.
The concept of counterparts is crucial in gender studies, comparing the roles of men and women across different societies.
In organizational behavior, a counterpart in one company may reflect the role or position of an employee in another company.

Literature

In literature, characters often have counterparts that serve to highlight their traits or development, such as a hero and a villain.
Classic tales often feature counterparts who reflect opposing qualities, such as wisdom versus folly.
Counterparts in poetry can illustrate contrasting emotions, enriching the text's meaning and depth.

Pop Culture

In movies, the counterpart of a superhero is often a sidekick or a villain, showing a balance between good and evil.
In music, bands may have counterpart groups in different genres that evoke similar themes or styles.
Famous duos in films, such as Batman and Robin, illustrate the dynamic relationship and functions of counterparts.

Origin of 'counterpart'

Main points about word origin

The word 'counterpart' comes from the Middle French term 'countepart' which means 'a copy' or 'duplicate'.
Originally used in the context of legal documents, a counterpart referred to one of two duplicate copies.
The 'counter' part of the word suggests opposition or something that balances another.

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.

Word Frequency Rank

Position #8,002 indicates this is an advanced-level word. While not essential for basic communication, it will enhance your ability to understand and create more nuanced content.

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