opposite
UK /ˈɒp.ə.zɪt/ · US /ˈɑ.pə.sɪt/ adjective, noun, adverb, preposition
Forms opposites opposit
- adjective Located directly across from something else, or from each other. “She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.”
- adjective (botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
- adjective Facing in the other direction. “They were moving in opposite directions.”
- adjective Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things. “He is attracted to the opposite sex.”
- adjective Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; antagonistic.
- noun A person or thing that is importantly (substantively) different from someone or something else.
- noun Especially, one that is different to the extreme degree of being the reverse. “She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.”
- noun An opponent. “The dogfighter fought closely with his opposite.”
- noun A counterpart. “The Swedish diplomat worked closely with his opposite from Denmark.”
- noun An antonym. “"Up" is the opposite of "down".”
- noun (mathematics) An additive inverse.
- adverb In an opposite position. “I was on my seat and she stood opposite.”
- adverb (television) On another channel at the same time.
- preposition Facing, or across from. “There’s a bus stop opposite the faculty entrance, right on the other side of the road.”
- preposition In a complementary role to. “He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.”
Synonyms
polar antipodean antithetical contrariant contradictory contrariwise contrary contrasted converse counter cross inverse inverted oppugnant opposed reverse witherward polar opposite vis-à-vis antonym opposite word opposition opponent paired diametric diametrical face-to-face
Antonyms
Etymology
Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.
Webster’s 1913
- adjective Placed over against; standing or situated over against or in front; facing; --often with to; as, a house opposite to the Exchange.
- adjective Applied to the other of two things which are entirely different; other; as, the opposite sex; the opposite extreme.
- noun One who opposes; an opponent; an antagonist. [Obs.]
- noun That which is opposed or contrary; as, sweetness and its opposite.
Etymology [F., fr. L. oppositus, p. p. of opponere. See Opponent.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “opposite”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details