1. Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other: opposite sides of a building.2. Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other: opposite directions.3. Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things: the opposite sex; an opposite role to the lead in the play.4a. Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance: The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.b. Sharply contrasting; antithetical: had opposite views on the subject.5.Botany Growing in pairs on either side of a stem: opposite leaves.
NOUN:
1. One that is opposite or contrary to another. 2. An opponent or antagonist. 3. An antonym.
ADVERB:
In an opposite position: They sat opposite at the table.
PREPOSITION:
1. Across from or facing: parked the car opposite the bank.2. In a complementary dramatic role to: He played opposite her.
ETYMOLOGY:
Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of oppnere, oppose. See oppose.
OTHER FORMS:
oppo·site·ly —ADVERB oppo·site·ness —NOUN
SYNONYMS:
opposite, contrary, antithetical, contradictory These adjectives mean marked by a natural or innate and irreconcilable opposition. Two things that are altogether different are opposite:Antonyms are words of opposite meaning.“It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest” (Charles Reade). Contrary stresses extreme divergence: Democrats and Republicans often hold contrary opinions.Antithetical emphasizes diametrical opposition: engaged in practices entirely antithetical to their professed beliefs.Contradictory implies denial or inconsistency: “contradictory attributes of unjust justice and loving vindictiveness” (John Morley).
p
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t
nere, oppose. See oppose.
