# controversial

/ˌkɑntɹəˈvɝʃəɫ/ (US) · /kˌɒntɹəvˈɜːʃəl/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/controversial
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. causing disagreement

adjective · CEFR B2

causing a lot of public disagreement or argument.

For teachers: arousing or likely to arouse controversy; characterising a subject that polarises public opinion.

- The government's new tax plan is very controversial and has led to many protests.
- The director's decision to cast a relatively unknown actor in such a controversial role sparked intense debate among film critics and fans alike.

### 2. fond of arguing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describes a person who likes to argue or start disagreements.

For teachers: given to or enjoying controversy; argumentative or disputatious in nature.

- He was a controversial writer who seemed to enjoy upsetting his readers.
- The professor was known for his controversial style, often taking the opposite view just to challenge his students' assumptions.

Usage: When applied to a person, it can describe their temperament rather than just the reaction to their work.

## Examples

- The new law is very controversial.
- The committee made a controversial decision to close the local library despite protests from the neighborhood residents.
- The director's latest film remains controversial among critics, who are divided on whether its graphic imagery serves a narrative purpose or is merely intended to shock the audience.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.