Dictionary.com
definitions

opposable

[ uh-poh-zuh-buh l ]
/ əˈpoʊ zə bəl /
|

adjective

capable of being placed opposite to something else: the opposable thumb of primates.
capable of being resisted, fought, or opposed.

RELATED CONTENT

What Does ⏱️ Stopwatch Emoji Mean?The stopwatch emoji depicts a silver stopwatch, which is used to time something, such as a race ... you know, before we had them on phones.
READ MORE
9 Ways To Say NoRead more in this article about some frequently asked questions and fun facts related to our definitions.
READ MORE

Nearby words

  1. opportunistic,
  2. opportunistic infection,
  3. opportunity,
  4. opportunity cost,
  5. opportunity shop,
  6. opposable thumb,
  7. oppose,
  8. opposed,
  9. opposed-cylinder,
  10. opposed-piston engine

Origin of opposable

First recorded in 1660–70; oppose + -able
Related formsop·pos·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·op·pos·a·ble, adjectiveun·op·pos·a·ble, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for opposable

British Dictionary definitions for opposable

opposable

/ (əˈpəʊzəbəl) /

adjective

capable of being opposed
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
capable of being placed opposite something else
Derived Formsopposably, adverbopposability, noun
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for opposable

opposable

adj.

1660s, "capable of being withstood," from oppose + -able. In reference to human thumbs, from 1833. Related: Opposability.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper