opposite

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English[edit]

Alternative forms[edit]

Etymology[edit]

From Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“I oppose”). Compare oppose.

Pronunciation[edit]

  • (UK) IPA(key): /ˈɒpəzɪt/, /ˈɒpəsɪt/
  • (US) IPA(key): /ˈɑp(ə)sɪt/, /ˈɑpəzɪt/
  • (Canada) IPA(key): /ˈɒpəsɪt/, /ˈɒpəzɪt/
  • Audio (US)(file)

Adjective[edit]

opposite (not comparable)

  1. Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
    She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
  2. (botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
  3. Facing in the other direction.
    They were moving in opposite directions.
  4. Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
    He is attracted to the opposite sex.
  5. Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
    • 1697, Virgil, “Dedication”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
      Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epick poem.
    • 1689 (indicated as 1690), [John Locke], An Essay Concerning Humane Understanding. […], London: […] Eliz[abeth] Holt, for Thomas Basset, […], →OCLC:
      , Book III
      Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Noun[edit]

opposite (plural opposites)

  1. Something opposite or contrary to something else.
  2. A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.
    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.
  3. An opponent.
  4. An antonym.
    "Up" is the opposite of "down".
  5. (mathematics) An additive inverse.

Derived terms[edit]

Translations[edit]

Adverb[edit]

opposite (not comparable)

  1. In an opposite position.
    I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
    Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.

Translations[edit]

Preposition[edit]

opposite

  1. Facing, or across from.
    He lives opposite the pub.
    • 1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., →OCLC, page 01:
      It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street. […]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.
  2. In a complementary role to.
    He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.
  3. (television) On another channel at the same time.
    The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.

Translations[edit]

See also[edit]

Latin[edit]

Adjective[edit]

opposite

  1. vocative masculine singular of oppositus

References[edit]

  • opposite in Ramminger, Johann (2016 July 16 (last accessed)) Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700‎[1], pre-publication website, 2005-2016

Middle French[edit]

Adjective[edit]

opposite m or f (plural opposites)

  1. opposite (located directly across from something else, or from each other)

Noun[edit]

opposite f (plural opposites)

  1. opposite side

References[edit]

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