controversial
Explicación de controversial a tu nivel:
This word is for when people disagree. If you like blue and I like red, that is fine. But if everyone is arguing about a big rule, that is controversial.
Use this word for big topics. If a movie is controversial, some people love it and some people hate it. It makes people talk a lot.
When a decision creates a lot of debate, we call it controversial. It is common to hear about 'controversial laws' or 'controversial statements' in the news.
This is a high-frequency adjective for discussing social or political issues. It implies that there is no consensus. It is often used to describe figures who provoke strong reactions.
Use this to describe nuanced situations where public opinion is sharply divided. It suggests an underlying tension in society. It is frequently used in academic and editorial contexts to frame a debate.
The term is often used to delineate the boundary between acceptable discourse and radical dissent. It carries a sense of historical weight, implying that the subject matter challenges the status quo or conventional morality.
controversial en 30 segundos
- Describes public disagreement.
- Adjective form of controversy.
- Used in serious discussions.
- Often used with 'highly' or 'deeply'.
When we call something controversial, we are describing a situation where people are divided. Imagine a topic like 'should school start later in the morning?' Some people might say yes, while others say no. Because there is no single answer that everyone likes, the topic becomes controversial.
It is important to remember that being controversial isn't necessarily bad; it just means the subject is charged with emotion or conflicting values. You will hear this word used in news, politics, and even art. It highlights that the subject has the power to spark a heated debate.
The word controversial comes from the Latin word controversia, which literally means 'a turning against.' It is formed from contra (meaning 'against') and vertere (meaning 'to turn'). So, at its heart, a controversy is when people are 'turned against' each other.
The word entered English in the late 16th century. It has stayed remarkably consistent in its meaning over the last 400 years. It shows how language evolves from simple physical actions—like turning your back on someone—to abstract concepts like intellectual disagreement.
You will most often see controversial used before a noun, such as 'a controversial decision' or 'a controversial figure.' It is a very common word in journalism and academic writing.
Because it describes conflict, use it carefully. It is not a casual word for 'disagreement'; it is reserved for situations where the debate is widespread or public. If two friends disagree about a movie, that is a 'difference of opinion.' If a movie is banned in a country, that is controversial.
While 'controversial' itself isn't an idiom, it is often associated with these phrases:
- A hot potato: A controversial issue that is awkward to deal with.
- Stir the pot: To intentionally cause controversy.
- Polarizing figure: Someone who causes people to take sides.
- Bone of contention: The specific subject of a disagreement.
- Open to debate: Something that is not settled and remains controversial.
Controversial is an adjective. It does not have a plural form. The stress falls on the third syllable: con-tro-VER-shul.
In the UK, the IPA is /ˌkɒntrəˈvɜːʃl/, while in the US it is /ˌkɑːntrəˈvɜːrʃl/. It rhymes with words like commercial and rehearsal. Always use it with a noun or after a linking verb like 'is' or 'remains'.
Dato curioso
The root 'vertere' is also the origin of 'reverse' and 'convert'.
Guía de pronunciación
con-truh-VER-shul
con-truh-VER-shul
Errores comunes
- stressing the first syllable
- missing the 'sh' sound
- adding an extra vowel
Rima con
Nivel de dificultad
easy
moderate
moderate
easy
Qué aprender después
Requisitos previos
Aprende después
Avanzado
Gramática que debes saber
Adjective placement
The controversial book.
Linking verbs
It remains controversial.
Noun vs Adjective
Controversy vs controversial.
Ejemplos por nivel
The new rule is controversial.
The new rule is debated.
Adjective usage
The movie was very controversial.
It was a controversial topic at dinner.
Some people think the law is controversial.
His speech was quite controversial.
The book is controversial in my country.
Is this topic controversial?
They had a controversial debate.
The decision remains controversial.
The candidate made a controversial statement.
The stadium project is highly controversial.
Many people find the new tax law controversial.
The artist is known for his controversial work.
It is a controversial issue among students.
The referee's call was controversial.
She avoided the controversial subject.
The ending of the film was controversial.
The policy change sparked a controversial debate.
He is a controversial figure in modern politics.
The scientific study yielded controversial results.
The decision was met with controversial feedback.
The author's controversial past is well-known.
They engaged in a controversial discussion.
The proposal is controversial for many reasons.
It is a deeply controversial matter.
The controversial nature of the experiment led to its cancellation.
His controversial views on history were widely criticized.
The controversial legislation passed by a narrow margin.
She navigated the controversial landscape of the industry.
The controversial painting challenged traditional values.
The controversial remarks were taken out of context.
The controversial strategy was debated for months.
The controversial decision caused a public outcry.
The controversial thesis challenged the established paradigm.
His controversial rhetoric alienated many of his supporters.
The controversial findings ignited a firestorm of debate.
The controversial nature of the evidence remains disputed.
A controversial figure, he left a complicated legacy.
The controversial interpretation was rejected by scholars.
The controversial move was seen as a bold gamble.
The controversial topic requires careful handling.
Colocaciones comunes
Modismos y expresiones
"stir the pot"
to cause trouble
He loves to stir the pot.
casual"a hot potato"
a difficult issue
The tax plan is a hot potato.
casual"open to debate"
not settled
The results are open to debate.
neutral"bone of contention"
a subject of argument
Money is a bone of contention.
neutral"a polarizing issue"
dividing people
It is a polarizing issue.
formalFácil de confundir
similar root
contrary means opposite
On the contrary.
noun vs adjective
noun vs adjective
The controversy is real.
similar meaning
disputed is more about facts
The land is disputed.
similar impact
divisive focuses on the split
A divisive speech.
Patrones de oraciones
Subject + is + controversial
The plan is controversial.
It is a controversial + noun
It is a controversial decision.
The controversial nature of + noun
The controversial nature of the law.
He is a controversial + noun
He is a controversial leader.
Many find + noun + controversial
Many find this controversial.
Familia de palabras
Sustantivos
Verbos
Adjetivos
Relacionado
Cómo usarlo
7
Escala de formalidad
Consejos
Memory Palace Trick
When Native Speakers Use It
Cultural Insight
Grammar Shortcut
Say It Right
Don't Make This Mistake
Did You Know?
Study Smart
Memorízalo
Mnemotecnia
Contra (against) + Vers (turn) = Turning against each other.
Asociación visual
A seesaw with people shouting on both sides.
Word Web
Desafío
Find one controversial headline today.
Origen de la palabra
Latin
Significado original: turning against
Contexto cultural
Can be used to describe sensitive topics like religion or politics.
Common in political and media discourse.
Practica en la vida real
Contextos reales
at work
- controversial decision
- controversial policy
- controversial change
in school
- controversial topic
- controversial debate
- controversial theory
in news
- controversial figure
- controversial statement
- controversial law
in art
- controversial film
- controversial painting
- controversial artist
Inicios de conversación
"What is the most controversial topic you know?"
"Do you like discussing controversial issues?"
"Can a controversial person be a good leader?"
"Why do some people avoid controversial topics?"
"Is it good to have controversial art?"
Temas para diario
Write about a controversial decision you made.
Describe a controversial topic in the news.
Why are some topics controversial?
How do you handle controversial discussions?
Preguntas frecuentes
8 preguntasPonte a prueba
The new law is ___. (controversial/happy)
The law is a big topic.
What does controversial mean?
It means disagreement.
A controversial topic is usually boring.
It is usually exciting or heated.
Word
Significado
Match synonyms.
This is a controversial topic.
Puntuación: /5
Summary
Controversial describes a subject that causes people to take strong, opposing sides.
- Describes public disagreement.
- Adjective form of controversy.
- Used in serious discussions.
- Often used with 'highly' or 'deeply'.
Memory Palace Trick
When Native Speakers Use It
Cultural Insight
Grammar Shortcut
Ejemplo
The new dress code at school is very controversial among students.
Contenido relacionado
Esta palabra en otros idiomas
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