opposite

[ op-uh-zit, -sit ]

adjective

1. situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing:

   opposite ends of a room.

2. contrary or radically different in some respect common to both, as in nature, qualities, direction, result, or significance; opposed:

   opposite sides in a controversy;

   opposite directions.

   Synonyms: unlike, irreconcilable, incompatible

   Antonyms: like, same

3. being the other of two related or corresponding things:

   Most of my family lives on the opposite coast, so I only see them a few times a year.

4. Botany.
   1. situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
   2. having one organ vertically above another; superimposed.
5. adverse or inimical.

noun

1. a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.
2. an antonym.
3. Archaic. an opponent; antagonist.

preposition

1. across from; facing:

   The guest of honor sat opposite me at the banquet.

2. in a role parallel or complementary to:

   He has played opposite many leading ladies.

adverb

1. on opposite sides.
2. on the opposite side:

   I was at one end and she sat opposite.

3. to the opposite side; in the opposite direction:

   I went to the left balcony, and he went opposite.

opposite

/ ˈɒpəzɪt; -sɪt /

adjective

1. situated or being on the other side or at each side of something between

   their houses were at opposite ends of the street

2. facing or going in contrary directions

   opposite ways

3. diametrically different in character, tendency, belief, etc

   opposite views

4. botany
   1. (of leaves, flowers, etc) arranged in pairs on either side of the stem
   2. (of parts of a flower) arranged opposite the middle of another part
5. maths
   1. (of two vertices or sides in an even-sided polygon) separated by the same number of vertices or sides in both a clockwise and anticlockwise direction
   2. (of a side in a triangle) facing a specified angle opp

noun

1. a person or thing that is opposite; antithesis
2. maths the side facing a specified angle in a right-angled triangle
3. a rare word for opponent

preposition

1. Alsoopposite to facing; corresponding to (something on the other side of a division)

   the house opposite ours

2. as a co-star with

   she played opposite Olivier in ``Hamlet''

adverb

1. on opposite sides

   she lives opposite

opposite

/ ŏp′ə-zĭt /

1. Arranged as one of a pair on either side of a stem or twig. Maple and ash trees have opposite leaves.
2. Compare alternate

Derived Forms

• ˈoppositeness, noun
• ˈoppositely, adverb

Other Words From

• op·po·site·ly adverb
• op·po·site·ness noun
• sub·op·po·site adjective
• sub·op·po·site·ly adverb
• sub·op·po·site·ness noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposite¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere “to set against”; oppose, -ite ²

Synonym Study

Opposite, contrary, reverse imply that two things differ from each other in such a way as to indicate a definite kind of relationship. Opposite suggests symmetrical antithesis in position, action, or character: opposite ends of a pole, sides of a road, views. Contrary sometimes adds to opposite the idea of conflict or antagonism: contrary statements, beliefs. Reverse suggests something that faces or moves in the opposite direction: the reverse side of a coin; a reverse gear.

Example Sentences

As most of us won’t regard the IRA as an army at war, as it styled itself, but a terrorist organization — as was, certainly, its opposite number, the Ulster Defense Assn. — our hope will be that the sisters survive the IRA as much as their smuggling expeditions, bank robberies and prison terms.

From Los Angeles Times

Crusius’ manifesto was striking because he considered the crushing squeeze of environmental degradation — the very changes that would be amplified by climate change — on communities, but from the opposite perspective.

From Salon

Next to a vandalised wire fence opposite HMP Bronzefield in Surrey, 28-year-old Beatrice Auty brushes away tears.

From BBC

The truth, however, is the opposite.

From Salon

“It was around 4 o’clock in the morning. We were asleep. We woke up because of a very strong thud. We couldn’t see anything in the beginning because of the smoke that was everywhere,” said a mother of two who lived in the building opposite.

From BBC

Related Words

• adverse
• antagonistic
• antithetical
• contradictory
• differing
• paradoxical
• reversed