Definitions for controversial
ˌkɒn trəˈvɜr ʃəl, -si əlcon·tro·ver·sial

Princeton's WordNet(3.00 / 2 votes)Rate this definition:

1. controversialadjective

   marked by or capable of arousing controversy

   "the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial"; "Rushdie's controversial book"; "a controversial decision on affirmative action"

Wiktionary(5.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. controversialadjective

   Arousing controversya debate or discussion of opposing opinions.

2. Etymology: From controversia + -al; see controversy.

Samuel Johnson's Dictionary(0.00 / 0 votes)Rate this definition:

1. Controversialadjective

   Relating to disputes; disputatious.

   Etymology: from controversy.

   It happens in controversial discourses as it does in the assaulting of towns, where, if the ground be but firm whereon the batteries are erected, there is no farther enquiry of whom it is borrowed, nor whom it belongs to, so it affords but a fit rise for the present purpose. John Locke.

Webster Dictionary(3.00 / 1 vote)Rate this definition:

1. Controversialadjective

   relating to, or consisting of, controversy; disputatious; polemical; as, controversial divinity

2. Etymology: [Cf. LL. controversialis.]

British National Corpus

1. Spoken Corpus Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'controversial' in Spoken Corpus Frequency: #4266

2. Adjectives Frequency

   Rank popularity for the word 'controversial' in Adjectives Frequency: #571

How to pronounce controversial?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

   British

   Fred

   US English

   Tessa

   South African

How to say controversial in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of controversial in Chaldean Numerology is: 4

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of controversial in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Examples of controversial in a Sentence

1. Student Organizations Sarah Giacomini:

   This is something we have done in the past with other organizations, if you choose to use the images of guns in the future and would like to plan an event under our Freedom of Expression Act or host a Controversial Event, we can have that conversation, but because you are just wanting to table this week, these are my requirements. If these changes can not be made, then you will not be allowed to table on campus tomorrow.

2. Mitch McConnell:

   If Democrats wanted these controversial items so badly, they had two years to move them across the floor.

3. President Trump for decades:

   It's a great honor to have with us here today, the Prime Minister of Hungary. Viktor Orban has done a tremendous job in so many different ways. Highly respected, respected all over Europe. Probably, like me, a little bit controversial, but that's OK.

4. James Comer:

   President Biden has a pattern of putting unions first and Americans last, first, he allowed a radical teachers union to dictate scientific guidance effectively keeping children locked out of their classrooms. Now, he’s granted ethics waivers to allow former union officials to wield government power on behalf of the union bosses. This is a conflict of interest, pure and simple. The Biden Administration must provide answers about these controversial appointments.

5. The WBO:

   The Jeff Horn vs. Manny Pacquiao bout results were controversial, causing disputes amongst fans. For this reason, transparency is so important, based on this, five anonymous, competent judges from different countries were asked to watch the bout without sound.

Popularity rank by frequency of use