# counter

/ˈkaʊntɝ/ (US) · /kˈaʊntɐ/ (UK)

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

## Senses

### 1. flat surface

noun · CEFR A2

a long, flat surface in a kitchen for preparing food, or in a shop where you pay.

For teachers: a horizontal surface in a place of business for transactions, or a worktop in a kitchen for food preparation.

- She left her keys on the kitchen counter while she went to get the groceries.
- The customer waited patiently at the service counter while the clerk searched the database for the missing shipment.

### 2. game piece

noun · CEFR B1

a small disc or object used to keep score or move around a board in a game.

For teachers: a small object, often a plastic or wooden disc, used as a marker or playing piece in board games.

- Each player chooses a different coloured counter before the game starts.
- The board game requires players to move their counters according to the number rolled on the dice.

### 3. measuring device

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

a tool or a piece of software that counts how many times something happens.

For teachers: a mechanical or electronic device, or a software variable, used to record the number of occurrences of an event.

- The website has a counter that shows how many people have visited today.
- The programmer initialized a counter to track the number of iterations within the loop.

### 4. to oppose

verb · CEFR B2

to say or do something to oppose another person's idea or action.

For teachers: to act in opposition to; to offer a response that neutralises or contradicts an argument or action.

- The company tried to counter the bad news by sharing their recent successes.
- The defence attorney attempted to counter the witness's testimony by presenting physical evidence from the night of the incident.

### 5. in opposition

adverb · CEFR C1 · Formal

doing something in the opposite way to what is expected or usual.

For teachers: in a direction or manner contrary to something else; often used with 'to'.

- His decision to quit ran counter to everything his parents had advised.
- The new economic policy runs counter to the principles established by the previous administration.

### 6. opposing

adjective · CEFR C1 · Formal

describing something that moves or acts in the opposite direction.

For teachers: acting in opposition; moving or situated in a contrary direction.

- The two groups had counter arguments about how to spend the money.
- The general launched a counter attack to regain the territory lost during the morning skirmish.

## Examples

- Please pay for your coffee at the counter.
- The clerk leaned over the wooden counter to hand the customer her dry cleaning and a receipt.
- Modern kitchen designs often feature a central island counter that serves as both a preparation area and an informal dining space for the family.

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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.