against
- 1Not agreeing with something, or trying to stop it.
Most people here are against the new road.
She voted against the plan.
UsageSay I am against the plan. You can also say three for, two against.
Oppositefor
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- 2Playing or fighting on the other side from someone.
Our team plays against the Bears this weekend.
She ran against the champion and won.
UsageSay we play against the Bears.
Similarversus
- 3Touching something, often leaning on it.
She sat with her back against the tree.
He rested his head against the window.
UsageSay lean against a wall.
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- 4Used for keeping something bad away, like rain, cold, or illness.
She wore a thick coat against the cold.
This cream protects your skin against the sun.
UsageSay protect your skin against the sun.
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- 5Compared with something, or weighed up next to it so one amount balances another.
Check your answers against the key at the back of the book.
Weigh the good points against the bad ones before you decide.
UsageSay check your answers against the list.
Note
- 6Not allowed by a rule, a law, or what you believe.
Smoking here is against the law.
Lying is against my beliefs.
UsageSay it is against the law.
- 7
- 8Seen with something behind it as a background, so the shape stands out.
The tree was black against the evening sky.
We saw his shape against the bright window.
UsageSay the tree was black against the sky.
- 9
Less common meanings
- 10Moving the opposite way to something, like water or wind.
It is hard to swim against the current.
We cycled home against a strong wind.
UsageSay swim against the current.
Oppositewith
- 11Used to pay for something, or traded for it.
You can use this coupon against your next purchase.
The points can be redeemed against future flights.
- 12Ready for a time or event that is coming.
We saved some money against hard times.
The shop is well stocked against the holidays.
Similarfor
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- 13Used with betting odds when winning is less likely than losing.
That horse is fifty-to-one against.
The odds were three-to-one against us.
UsageSay ten-to-one against.
Oppositeon
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- 14Paid now as part of a bigger total, with the rest paid later if a movie gets made.
The studio paid her $50,000 against $200,000.
He sold his movie idea for $5,000 against $50,000 if filming starts.
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- 15Open to things like weather or danger, with nothing to protect you from them.
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- 16An old use meaning 'by the time that' something happens.
He now gave Mrs Deborah positive orders to take the child to her own bed, and to call up a maid-servant to provide it pap, and other things, against it waked.
1749, Henry Fielding, Tom JonesHere, against means ready for the time when, so things are set before it wakes.Thence she them brought into a stately Hall, / Wherein were many tables faire dispred, / And ready dight with drapets festiuall, / Against the viaundes should be ministred.
1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie QueeneHere, against means in time for when, so tables are ready before the food is served.Note
Showing meanings only.
Practice
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Origin
From Middle English ayenes or againes, meaning 'in opposition to'. The final -t was added around 1350, probably by confusion with endings like -est.
Checked 31 Oct 2026 · 3 facts
- Against derives from Middle English ayenes or againes, meaning ‘in opposition to’. en.wiktionary.org
- The final -t was added around 1350. en.wiktionary.org
- The -t probably arose through confusion with endings such as -est. en.wiktionary.org