opposite

American  

[op-uh-zit, -sit] / ˈɒp ə zɪt, -sɪt /

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.

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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 British  

/ 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.  opp.  (of a side in a triangle) facing a specified angle

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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. Also: opposite 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 Scientific  

/ 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

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Related Words

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.

Other Word Forms

• oppositely adverb
• oppositeness noun
• subopposite adjective
• suboppositely adverb
• suboppositeness noun

Etymology

Origin of opposite

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

Example Sentences

In the bond market, yields move in the opposite direction to prices, and rise whenever government debt sells off.

From MarketWatch

He said: "This group haven't made my community any safer for me. They've done the opposite and effectively put a target on my back."

From BBC

Steven says, while he has been accused of not trusting his daughter, the opposite is true because "you have to completely trust your family if you're allowing them to have 24-hour access to your location".

From BBC

And the speeds won’t be nearly as severe as January’s winds, which reached 100 mph in some places, feeding two major fires on opposite sides of the county.

From Los Angeles Times

The Raiders can bring pressure off the edge, but their linebackers struggle in coverage and they are vulnerable at corner opposite Eric Stokes.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

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