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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Counter: Definition, Common Uses & Key Phrases (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：sales desk (counter)

counter 🔊

/ˈkaʊn.tər/

n., adv.

A long, flat surface in a shop, bank, or café where people are served, like where you pay or order food.

sales desk 🔊

➕

/ˈseɪlz ˌdɛsk/

n., adv.

A long, flat surface where transactions or services occur, commonly found in retail stores, banks, or eateries.

📁 Category：Buildings & Places 🔖 Level：Beginner

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Anglo-French 'cunteor', from Old French 'contour', ultimately from Latin 'computare' (to calculate).

💡 Mnemonic

Think of a 'counter' in a shop. You COUNT money and goods there, which opposes just taking them.

📖 Example

I waited in line at the counter to pay for the freshly baked bread. 🔊 I waited in the queue at the sales desk to pay for the freshly baked bread.

🔗 Collocations

over the counter – available for purchase without a prescription (medicine) or through a retail broker (finance)

behind the counter – the area where staff work to serve customers

checkout counter – the specific counter in a store where one pays for goods

🔄 Synonyms

checkout (n.) – A counter where customers pay, especially in a supermarket.

bar (n.) – A counter where alcoholic drinks are served.

desk (n.) – A counter or table in a hotel, office, or airport where information is given or service is provided.

🚫 Antonyms

floor (n.) – The main shopping area of a store, as opposed to the service counters.

🌱 Derivatives

count (v./n.) – To calculate the total number of something.

countable (adj.) – Able to be counted.

📖 Cultural Story

Derived from Latin 'computare' (to calculate), it originally referred to a person or object that keeps count. Its 'against' sense comes from the idea of a return strike or opposing calculation in games or trade.

Meaning 2：against (counter)

counter 🔊

/ˈkaʊn.tər/

n., adv.

In the opposite direction or in a way that opposes something.

Counter concept illustrated with opposing red and green arrows

against 🔊

➕

/əˈɡɛnst/

n., adv.

In a contrary or opposing direction, manner, or effect.

📁 Category：Behaviors & Actions 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

My suggestion to work from home ran counter to the company's traditional office culture. 🔊 My suggestion to work from home was directly against the company's traditional office culture.

🔗 Collocations

run counter to – to be in opposition or conflict with something

act counter to – to behave in a way that opposes instructions or expectations

counter to expectations – contrary to what was expected

🔄 Synonyms

opposed to (prep. phrase) – In conflict with or resistant to.

contrary to (prep. phrase) – Opposite in nature, direction, or meaning.

in defiance of (prep. phrase) – In open resistance to or disregard for.

🚫 Antonyms

in accordance with (prep. phrase) – In agreement or harmony with.

in agreement with (prep. phrase) – Having the same opinion or in conformity with.

aligned with (prep. phrase) – In a position of agreement or alliance with.

🌱 Derivatives

counteract (v.) – To act against something to reduce its force or neutralize it.

counterargument (n.) – An argument made to oppose or refute another argument.

counterproductive (adj.) – Having the opposite of the desired effect.