controversy meaning

controversy means 'a public disagreement or debate about something important'.

controversy :

dispute, debate

noun

▪ The new law caused a controversy.

▪ The new law caused a debate.

▪ There is controversy over the decision.

▪ There is a dispute about the decision.

paraphrasing

▪ argument – a disagreement

▪ conflict – a clash of ideas

▪ debate – a discussion of different views

▪ dispute – a disagreement or argument

controversy

Pronunciation

controversy [ˈkɒn.trəˌvɜː.si]

The stress is on 'con' and sounds like 'kon-truh-vur-see'.

Common phrases and grammar about controversy

controversy - Common meaning

noun
dispute, debate

Part of Speech Changes for "controversy"

▪ controversial (adjective) – causing disagreement

▪ controversially (adverb) – in a way that causes disagreement

Common Expressions with "controversy"

▪ cause controversy – to start a debate

▪ create controversy – to make a debate happen

▪ avoid controversy – to stay away from debate

▪ stir up controversy – to make a debate more intense

Important examples of controversy in TOEIC

Vocabulary examples from the TOEIC test

In TOEIC vocabulary questions, controversy is often used to refer to public debates or disagreements.

▪The project sparked controversy in the community.
▪The project started a debate in the community.

Example of a confusing word: conversation (a talk between people)

▪The project sparked conversation in the community.
▪The project started a discussion in the community.
"Controversy" refers to a public disagreement or debate, often involving differing opinions and emotional responses. In the sentence "The project sparked controversy," it implies that the project led to significant public debate. "Conversation," however, means a casual talk between people and lacks the intensity or public aspect of a "controversy." Using "conversation" in this context would not convey the same level of public disagreement or debate, making "controversy" the correct choice.

Grammar examples from the TOEIC test

As a noun, controversy often appears in TOEIC questions to describe disagreements or debates.

▪The decision led to a major controversy.
▪The decision caused a big debate.

controversy

Idioms and fixed expressions in TOEIC

stir up controversy

'to make a debate more intense', used when discussing heated topics.

▪The article stirred up controversy among readers.
▪The article made the debate more intense among readers.

a storm of controversy

means 'a large amount of debate or disagreement'.

▪The decision created a storm of controversy.
▪The decision caused a lot of debate.

Differences between similar words and controversy

controversy

,

debate

differences

Controversy involves public disagreement, while debate is a structured discussion of different views.

controversy
▪The policy caused a lot of controversy.
▪The policy caused a lot of debate.
debate
▪The candidates had a debate on TV.
▪The candidates discussed different views on TV.
controversy

Words with the same origin as controversy

The origin of controversy

controversy comes from the Latin 'controversia', which means 'a turning against' or 'dispute'.

Word structure

It has the prefix contra (against), root vers (turn), and suffix y (noun), meaning 'a turning against'.

Words with the same origin

The root of controversy is vers (turn). Words with the same root include convert (to change), reverse (to turn back), and diverse (varied).

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