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.

---

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

---

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

---

Synonym Usage

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

Derived Forms

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

Etymology

Origin of opposite

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

Explanation

Opposite means “other." If you’re walking to school and realize you forgot your math homework, turn around and walk in the opposite direction to go back and get it. You say "yes," but I say "no": we're on opposite sides of the debate. Opposite can also mean "across," as in a house that’s on the opposite side of the street from yours. The word has Latin roots, from op, “in front of,” and ponere, “to put” — think about putting something up against something else. Related words are opponent, "the person you’re up against in a game," and oppose, "to disagree."

Example Sentences

On “An Eraser and a Maze,” which features a rotating cast of drummers, including touring percussionist Damon Cox and Janet Weiss of Quasi and Sleater-Kinney, the pendulum swings in the opposite direction.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 9, 2026

Their purpose is the opposite: to preserve and protect; to create bulwarks of predictability amid the chaos of the markets.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 8, 2026

But the opposite was true: I was deluged with requests for help from people hoping to save their relationships with their friends and loved ones.

From Salon • Jun. 8, 2026

"This is the simplest game with the easiest access. Everybody plays it around the world with no money, no soccer balls, no shoes. And here, we had just the opposite thing going on."

From BBC • Jun. 6, 2026

I was hoping Avery’s crush on Collin would make her less focused on whatever secret feelings she thinks Jonah and I have for each other, but if anything, it’s the opposite.

From "Keeping Pace" by Laurie Morrison

Related Words

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