Etymology
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controversial (adj.)

1610s, "subject to controversy;" 1640s, "turning different ways," from Latin controversus "turned against" (see controversy) + -al (1).

controversial (adj.)

1580s, "debatable, disputed," from Late Latin controversialis "pertaining to controversy," from Latin controversia (see controversy). From 1650s as "of or pertaining to controversy."

Entries linking to controversial

controversy (n.)

"disputation, debate, prolonged agitation of contrary opinions," late 14c., from Old French controversie "quarrel, disagreement" or directly from Latin controversia "a turning against; contention, quarrel, dispute," from controversus "turned in an opposite direction, disputed, turned against," from contra "against" (see contra (prep., adv.)) + versus "turned toward or against," past participle of vertere "to turn" (from PIE root *wer- (2) "to turn, bend").

-al (1)
suffix forming adjectives from nouns or other adjectives, "of, like, related to, pertaining to," Middle English -al, -el, from French or directly from Latin -alis (see -al (2)).
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Definitions of controversial

controversial (adj.)
marked by or capable of arousing controversy;
the issue of the death penalty is highly controversial
a controversial decision on affirmative action
Rushdie's controversial book
From wordnet.princeton.edu

Dictionary entries near controversial

controlled

controller

controlling

controversary

controverse

controversial

controversy

controvert

contubernal

contumacious

contumacy

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