I. ˈä-pə-zət, ˈäp-sət adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Middle French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of opponere
Date: 14th century
1.
a. : set over against something that is at the other end or side of an intervening line or space
opposite interior angles
opposite ends of a diameter
b. : situated in pairs on an axis with each member being separated from the other by half the circumference of the axis
opposite leaves
— compare alternate
2.
a. : occupying an opposing and often antagonistic position
opposite sides of the question
b. : diametrically different (as in nature or character)
opposite meanings
3. : contrary to one another or to a thing specified : reverse
gave them opposite directions
4. : being the other of a pair that are corresponding or complementary in position, function, or nature
members of the opposite sex
5. : of, relating to, or being the side of a baseball field that is near the first base line for a right-handed batter and near the third base line for a left-handed batter
• op·po·site·ly adverb
• op·po·site·ness noun
Synonyms:
opposite , contradictory , contrary , antithetical mean being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable. opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict
opposite views on foreign aid
contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid
made contradictory predictions about whether the market would rise or fall
contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition
contrary assessments of the war situation
antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition
a law that is antithetical to the very idea of democracy
II. noun
Date: 15th century
1. : something that is opposed to some other often specified thing
2. : antonym
3. : additive inverse ; especially : the additive inverse of a real number
III. adverb
Date: 1667
: on or to an opposite side
IV. preposition
Date: 1758
1. : across from and usually facing or on the same level with
sat opposite each other
2. : in a role complementary to
played opposite the leading man in the comedy