Dictionary.com

opposable

[ uh-poh-zuh-buhl ]
/ əˈpoʊ zə bəl /

adjective

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

QUIZZES

BEAT THE DOLDRUMS WITH THIS WORD OF THE DAY QUIZ!

We know you’ll tackle this quiz totis viribus! See how many words from the week of Oct 12–18, 2020 you get right!
Question 1 of 7
What does “Indigenous” mean?
characterized by cleverness or originality of invention or construction.
carried on abroad, or with other countries.
relating to or being a people who are the original, earliest known inhabitants of a region, or are their descendants.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT

Origin of opposable

First recorded in 1660–70; oppose + -able

OTHER WORDS FROM opposable

op·pos·a·bil·i·ty, nounnon·op·pos·a·ble, adjectiveun·op·pos·a·ble, adjective

Words nearby opposable

opportunistic, opportunistic infection, opportunity, opportunity cost, opportunity shop, opposable, opposable thumb, oppose, opposed-cylinder, opposed-piston engine, opposeless
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences 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 forms of opposable

opposably, 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