opposable

[ uh-poh-zuh-buhl ]

adjective

1. capable of being placed opposite to something else:

   the opposable thumb of primates.

2. capable of being resisted, fought, or opposed.

opposable

/ əˈpəʊzəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being opposed
2. Alsoapposable (of the thumb of primates, esp man) capable of being moved into a position facing the other digits so as to be able to touch the ends of each
3. capable of being placed opposite something else

Derived Forms

• opˈposably, adverb
• opˌposaˈbility, noun

Other Words From

• op·posa·bili·ty noun
• nonop·posa·ble adjective
• unop·posa·ble adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of opposable¹

First recorded in 1660–70; oppose + -able

Example Sentences

Humans and other primates such as chimps, gorillas and orangutans also benefit from the use of opposable thumbs, which can be bent over the hand to touch the tips of the other fingers.

From Science News For Students

It remains to be seen whether other creatures with opposable-thumbs can snap, but that might be the next piece of the puzzle.

From Popular-Science

That elemental, primitive value of what we can do as animals with opposable thumbs, I don’t want that to atrophy.

From Outside Online

This may be because moving around a joystick with your snout is a lot harder than with opposable thumbs, or because the pigs are just not as good at the task as primates.

From Popular-Science

If frogs had opposable thumbs, Kermit would be twiddling them when Muppets Most Wanted begins.

From The Daily Beast

In the Didelphyidae the foot is broad, all five digits are well developed, and the hallux is opposable to the others.

From Project Gutenberg

In the Phalangers and Koalas though the second and third toes are very slender, the hallux is well developed and opposable.

From Project Gutenberg

It had the same place in crustacean development that the opposable thumb is believed to have had in that of man.

From Project Gutenberg

What a comedy that man should work so hard to prove that his chief glory is his opposable thumb, or a few ounces of brain matter!

From Project Gutenberg

Both thumb and great toe are opposable; but the foot is a true foot, and the hand a true hand, in anatomical structure.

From Project Gutenberg