opposite

American  

[op-uh-zit, -sit] / ˈɒp ə zɪt, -sɪt /

adjective

1. situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing.

   opposite ends of a room.

2. contrary or radically different in some respect common to both, as in nature, qualities, direction, result, or significance; opposed.

   opposite sides in a controversy;

   opposite directions.

   Synonyms:

   unlike, irreconcilable, incompatible

   Antonyms:

   like, same

3. being the other of two related or corresponding things.

   Most of my family lives on the opposite coast, so I only see them a few times a year.

4. Botany.

   1. situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.

   2. having one organ vertically above another; superimposed.

5. adverse or inimical.

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noun

1. a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.

2. an antonym.

3. Archaic. an opponent; antagonist.

preposition

1. across from; facing.

   The guest of honor sat opposite me at the banquet.

2. in a role parallel or complementary to.

   He has played opposite many leading ladies.

adverb

1. on opposite sides.

2. on the opposite side.

   I was at one end and she sat opposite.

3. to the opposite side; in the opposite direction.

   I went to the left balcony, and he went opposite.

opposite British  

/ ˈɒpəzɪt, -sɪt /

adjective

1. situated or being on the other side or at each side of something between

   their houses were at opposite ends of the street

2. facing or going in contrary directions

   opposite ways

3. diametrically different in character, tendency, belief, etc

   opposite views

4. botany

   1. (of leaves, flowers, etc) arranged in pairs on either side of the stem

   2. (of parts of a flower) arranged opposite the middle of another part

5. maths

   1. (of two vertices or sides in an even-sided polygon) separated by the same number of vertices or sides in both a clockwise and anticlockwise direction

   2.  opp.  (of a side in a triangle) facing a specified angle

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noun

1. a person or thing that is opposite; antithesis

2. maths the side facing a specified angle in a right-angled triangle

3. a rare word for opponent

preposition

1. Also: opposite to.  facing; corresponding to (something on the other side of a division)

   the house opposite ours

2. as a co-star with

   she played opposite Olivier in ``Hamlet''

adverb

1. on opposite sides

   she lives opposite

opposite Scientific  

/ ŏp′ə-zĭt /

1. Arranged as one of a pair on either side of a stem or twig. Maple and ash trees have opposite leaves.

2. Compare alternate

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Related Words

Opposite, contrary, reverse imply that two things differ from each other in such a way as to indicate a definite kind of relationship. Opposite suggests symmetrical antithesis in position, action, or character: opposite ends of a pole, sides of a road, views. Contrary sometimes adds to opposite the idea of conflict or antagonism: contrary statements, beliefs. Reverse suggests something that faces or moves in the opposite direction: the reverse side of a coin; a reverse gear.

Other Word Forms

• oppositely adverb
• oppositeness noun
• subopposite adjective
• suboppositely adverb
• suboppositeness noun

Etymology

Origin of opposite

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere “to set against”; oppose, -ite ²

Explanation

Opposite means “other." If you’re walking to school and realize you forgot your math homework, turn around and walk in the opposite direction to go back and get it. You say "yes," but I say "no": we're on opposite sides of the debate. Opposite can also mean "across," as in a house that’s on the opposite side of the street from yours. The word has Latin roots, from op, “in front of,” and ponere, “to put” — think about putting something up against something else. Related words are opponent, "the person you’re up against in a game," and oppose, "to disagree."

Example Sentences

Iranian media went to the opposite side of the hall.

From Barron's • Apr. 11, 2026

It was startling — the opposite of an oasis in the desert.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

"This observation clearly indicated that even deep inside single crystals of unmodified, as-grown perovskites, there are internal forces that separate opposite charges," says Alpichshev.

From Science Daily • Apr. 10, 2026

I wanted to be the opposite of her.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 10, 2026

“That emphatically does not do what it’s supposed to do, ever. It’s always marching in the opposite direction of the rest of your head.”

From "The Brightwood Code" by Monica Hesse

Related Words

• adverse
• antagonistic
• antithetical
• contradictory
• differing
• paradoxical
• reversed