A Controversial Definition Trope is a trope that is multivocal. That means that while everyone knows the meaning of the concept in a wide sense. No one has a precise “objective" definition because everyone has their own definition of the term. Even if an objective definition is given, most people will try to impose their own particular interpretation of the concept regardless of the situation.

Mainly because everyone has very strong opinion of what the concept in question should mean.Therefore any attempt at one " true definition" or wheter or not it applies to that particular definition in a given moment will be a source of debate.

The best example is probably Mary Sue. Everyone knows that a Mary Sue is in a broad sense a "perfect character in-universe". However trying to define it with specific criteria is a Berserk Button for many, and therefore impossible to define by any objective means.

For example Whether or not a certain character is a Complete Monster or whether or not a Mary Sue can be a "good character" will depend on each person perception an interpretation of the conpet. In other words the issue will be on the language and not in the events that trope is trying to define.

Differs from with Subjective Trope depending on the context of the situation. While a Subjective Trope definition may be clear and even completely accepted. The issue for a SubjetiveTrope will be whether or not it applies to a given situation (people will perceive the things differently). Whereas in an Controversial Definition Trope the issue won't be on the situation (Everyone could perceive the situation exactly the same), but on the definition of that situation.

• Anthony kisses Bob on the cheek. Whether or not it is Ho Yay will depend on how you interpret this situation
• Anthony has many virtues and no flaws. But he is loved in Real Life as a character and is not a fanfic character .Wheter or not he is a Mary Sue will be depend of your definition of the term.[[hottip:*:If you believe Mary Sues can't be likeable, male nor canon characters he won't be a Mary Sue.On the contrary if you believe that a character with no flaws is a Mary Sue regardless of likeability and setting he will be.]]

Tropes

• Mary Sue Impossible to define without a debate.
• Complete Monster There is an objective definition. But it is constantly defied with some claiming that not all requirements in the definition are nesseary to get this classification.In fact this Trope's own definition opens that possibility.
• True Art definition. A source of many debates. This one goes as far as art itself with many movements and philosophies defying the true meaning of the concept.Among them the infamous Dadaism. There is no sign that an universal definition will be ever reached.
  • True Art Is Incomprehensible
  • True Art Is Ancient
  • True Art Is Angsty
  • True Art Is Foreign
  • True Art Is Offensive
  • True Art Is Realistic
  • True Art Sticks It To The Man
  • Some Scholars have argued that even Law may be an art

In Media

Real Life

• Any discussion on a board or blog about just what "libertarian" means inevitably bogs down to an unwinnable argument between people pushing their own definition of the term. The Other Wiki's articles on the subject give an overview of the various schools of thought on the subject.

• Similarly, the terms "Capitalist", "Socialist" and "Communist" have been used by so many people to mean so many different things that they are useless without being prefaced by a careful definition of what the speaker means by the term.