Words / B2

KOWNT-uh-paht/ˈkaʊntəpɑːt/

A counterpart is the person or thing with the same role elsewhere: her counterpart in Paris, a counterpart organisation. Equivalent is close; opposite number is a British idiom. Partner can mean someone you work with, not necessarily in the same role. In speech, the person doing the same job there is enough. Do not call a deputy a counterpart — a deputy is below you, a counterpart is beside you in another place.

Meaning

A person or thing that has the same role in a different place or organisation.

Examples

• “She met her counterpart from the French ministry.”
• “The education secretary rang her counterpart before the joint statement.”
• “Our counterpart school in Lyon follows a different exam calendar.”

Good to know

The same role in another place/organisation. Everyday: the person doing the same job there. BrE idiom: opposite number. Contrast: deputy (below you).

Near in meaning

equivalent

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