opposite

English Online Dictionary. What means opposite‎? What does opposite mean?

English

Alternative forms

• opposit (archaic)

Etymology

From Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“I oppose”). Compare oppose.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /ˈɒpəzɪt/, /ˈɒpəsɪt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /ˈɑp(ə)sɪt/, /ˈɑpəzɪt/
• (Canada) IPA^(key): /ˈɒpəsɪt/, /ˈɒpəzɪt/

Adjective

opposite (not comparable)

1. Located directly across from something else, or from each other.

   She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.

2. (botany) Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
3. Facing in the other direction.

   They were moving in opposite directions.

4. Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.

   He is attracted to the opposite sex.

5. Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
   • , Book III

     Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

opposite (plural opposites)

1. Something opposite or contrary to something else.
2. A person or thing that is entirely different from or the reverse of someone or something else; used to show contrast between two people or two things.

   She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.

3. An opponent.
4. An antonym.

   "Up" is the opposite of "down".

5. (mathematics) An additive inverse.

Derived terms

• opposites attract
• polar opposite

Translations

Adverb

opposite (not comparable)

1. In an opposite position.

   I was on my seat and she stood opposite.

   Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.

Translations

Preposition

opposite

1. Facing, or across from.
2. In a complementary role to.

3. (television) On another channel at the same time.

   The game show Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless on CBS.

Translations

See also

• apposite

Latin

Adjective

opposite

1. vocative masculine singular of oppositus

References

• opposite in Ramminger, Johann (2016 July 16 (last accessed)) Neulateinische Wortliste: Ein Wörterbuch des Lateinischen von Petrarca bis 1700‎^[1], pre-publication website, 2005-2016

Middle French

Adjective

opposite m or f (plural opposites)

1. opposite (located directly across from something else, or from each other)

Noun

opposite f (plural opposites)

1. opposite side

References

• Godefroy, Frédéric, Dictionnaire de l’ancienne langue française et de tous ses dialectes du IX^e au XV^e siècle (1881) (opposeur)