controversial Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. adjective 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

WordNet

Con`tro*ver"sial adjective
Etymology
Cf. LL. controversialis.
Definitions
  1. Relating to, or consisting of, controversy; disputatious; polemical; as, controversial divinity.
    Whole libraries of controversial books. Macaulay.

Webster 1913