apposite

American  

[ap-uh-zit, uh-poz-it] / ˈæp ə zɪt, əˈpɒz ɪt /

adjective

1. suitable; well-adapted; pertinent; relevant; apt.

   an apposite answer.

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apposite British  

/ ˈæpəzɪt /

adjective

1. well suited for the purpose; appropriate; apt

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• unappositely
  adverb
• appositely
  adjective
• appositely
  adverb
• unapposite
  adjective
• appositeness
  noun
• unappositeness
  noun

Etymology

Origin of apposite

1615–25; < Latin appositus added to, put near (past participle of appōnere ), equivalent to ap- ap- ¹ + positus placed ( posi- place + -tus past participle suffix)

Explanation

Something apposite is fitting or relevant. It is apposite that radio stations play Christmas carols on Christmas Eve, and that your tax accountant takes vacation after April 15th. It all makes sense. The adjective apposite is derived from the Latin terms appositus and apponere. Ponere means to place, and thus apponere is "well-placed or well-put." Don't confuse apposite with opposite; they have almost opposite meanings!