opposable

American  

[uh-poh-zuh-buhl] / əˈpoʊ zə bəl /

adjective

1. capable of being placed opposite to something else.

   the opposable thumb of primates.

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

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opposable British  

/ əˈpəʊzəbəl /

adjective

1. capable of being opposed

2. Also: apposable.  (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

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Other Word Forms

• nonopposable adjective
• opposability noun
• opposably adverb
• unopposable adjective

Etymology

Origin of opposable

First recorded in 1660–70; oppose + -able

Example Sentences

The Rwanda trip, Mr. Attenborough says, wasn’t supposed to be about gorillas at all, but rather the opposable thumb, one of the significant characteristics we share with the great apes.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 17, 2026

Unlike Lucy, the Burtele foot kept an opposable big toe, which would have been useful for climbing.

From Science Daily • Nov. 28, 2025

“A thumb, yes, because the opposable thumb is what differentiates us from beasts.”

From New York Times • Jan. 21, 2024

Davy’s social media manager — presumably someone with aligned values and opposable thumbs — reacted to several news items during the season.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 22, 2023

“Give me a solution for this, then: motel rooms have doors. We don’t have opposable thumbs. We have paws. We can’t grasp and turn a doorknob.”

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein