Opposite

Pronunciation

• UK IPA: /ˈɒpÉ™zɪt/
• US IPA: /ˈɑpÉ™sɪt/

Alternative forms

• opposit archaic

Origin

Borrowing from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of I oppose. Compare oppose.

Full definition of opposite

Adjective

1. Located directly across from something else, or from each other.She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
2. Facing in the other direction.They were moving in opposite directions.
3. Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.He has a lot of success with the opposite sex.
4. Extremely different; inconsistent; contrary; repugnant; antagonistic.
• DrydenNovels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epic poem.
• John LockeParticles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.

Derived terms

• opposite sex

Noun

1. Something opposite or contrary to another.
2. An opponent.
3. An antonym."Up" is the opposite of "down".
4. (mathematics) An additive inverse.

Derived terms

• opposites attract

Adverb

1. In an opposite position.I was on my seat and she stood opposite.

Preposition

1. Facing, or across from.He lives opposite the pub.
2. In a complementary role to.He played opposite Marilyn Monroe.