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

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

Except for marmosets, of course: They do not have opposable thumbs, so their eyes never left the first hand.

From Salon • Apr. 6, 2023

With the help of Grunt and his opposable thumbs, Addison and the emu-raffe went to prepare the elixir.

From "Hollow City" by Ransom Riggs