au contraire UK /əʊ ˈkɒntɹɛː(ɹ)/US /oʊ ˌkɔnˈtɹɛ(ə)ɹ/ adverb1 •(humorous) On the contrary.Travellers have written and spoken so much of the beauty of this celebrated piece of water, that I expected to be disappointed; but, au contraire, I am almost inclined to write a rhapsody myself. — 1856