opposite

SayOP-uh-zit/ˈɑpəzɪt/UK/ˈɒpəzɪt/

14 meanings of opposite

1
complete contrastnouncountable
A person or thing that is completely different from another, or the reverse of it in nature, direction or effect.
Calm and methodical, the new manager was the opposite of her impulsive predecessor.
The twins look alike but are opposites in temperament.
UsageUsually the opposite of something: the opposite of what I expected. Also quite the opposite and just the opposite.
2
other sideadjective
Physically on the other side of a space from something, or of two places or things, facing each other across that space.
Their offices are on opposite sides of the courtyard.
The ferry dock sits on the opposite bank of the river.
UsageOften the opposite side, bank or end; two things are on opposite sides of something.
Similarfacing, far
Oppositenear, adjacent
3
facingpreposition
Across from the person or thing named right after it; facing it.
The hotel stands opposite the old train station.
He took the chair opposite the interviewer and waited.
UsageUsually with no to: sit opposite someone, opposite the school. Across from means the same and is plainer.
Note
Directions and novels both use it to fix a spot by its landmark. In Stanley J. Weyman's Chippinge Borough (1906), a young man walking down Whitehall "halted opposite the Privy Gardens."
4
adjective
Of ideas, qualities, people or results: as different as possible from another, so that the two contrast or conflict.
Their opposite political views made family dinners tense.
The committee reached a conclusion opposite to everything the report had recommended.
UsageBefore a noun: opposite views. After a noun it usually takes to: a conclusion opposite to the report's.
Similarcontrary, opposing, conflicting, contrasting, contradictory
Oppositesimilar, identical
Note
Here the word measures distance in kind rather than in space, and despite being an absolute it tolerates hedging: "almost opposite significations." In his dedication to The Works of Virgil (1697), Dryden says novels lead the reader into "another sort of pleasure opposite to that which is designed in an epick poem."
5
reverse directionadjective
Facing in the reverse direction, or moving along a contrary course.
A car appeared from the opposite direction, headlights blazing.
The two currents flow in opposite directions along the strait.
UsageUsually in the opposite direction, or the opposite way with no preposition: walk the opposite way.
Similarreverse, contrary
Oppositesame
6
other of twoadjective
Of or belonging to either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
Electrons and protons carry opposite charges.
In many bird species, elaborate displays attract members of the opposite sex.
Oppositesame, like
7
co-starringpreposition
In a complementary role to; co-starring with (a performer) in a production.
The unknown actor landed a lead role opposite an Oscar winner.
Critics praised her restrained performance opposite the film's flamboyant villain.
UsageUsually after play, star or be cast: she played opposite a famous actor.
Similaralongside, with
Note
The object is usually the co-star, but it can name the role as played, as in Ophelia opposite another actor's Hamlet. The two parts need not be matched in weight: a small role can be played opposite a star.
8
adverb
Across from someone or something already mentioned or understood, with no noun following.
She glanced at the man sitting opposite and smiled.
The building opposite blocks our afternoon light.
UsageWith nothing after it: sat opposite, the house opposite. With an object it becomes a preposition: opposite the door.
Similaracross
Note
The adverb leaves the reference point to context. That suits answers to requests for directions, and descriptions where the landmark has just been named. It ends a clause (she stood opposite) or follows a noun (the house opposite); once the landmark is named right after it, as in opposite the door, it is the preposition instead.

Less common meanings

9
reverse wordnouncountable
A word having a meaning contrary to that of another word; an antonym.
The crossword clue asked for the opposite of 'generous'.
Many adjectives form their opposites with the prefix 'un-'.
Similarantonym
Oppositesynonym
10
paired leavesadjective
Of leaves or flowers: positioned in pairs directly across from each other at the same point on a stem.
Maple, ash, and dogwood all have opposite leaves, which helps tell them apart from oaks and elms.
The mint family is recognizable by its square stems and opposite leaves.
Oppositealternate
Note
A botanist's word for one of three leaf arrangements. Opposite leaves come in pairs at each node, alternate leaves arise one per node, and whorled leaves grow three or more to a node. The pattern holds on bare twigs, so it is a first question in identifying trees and shrubs in winter. It works before the noun (opposite leaves) and after it (the leaves are opposite).
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 6 facts
Opposite is one of three standard leaf arrangements: opposite, alternate, and whorled. extension-store.montana.edu
Opposite leaves occur in pairs across from each other at the same node. woodyplantstutorial.nres.illinois.edu
Alternate leaves occur singly at each node. landscapeplants.oregonstate.edu
Whorled leaves occur three or more at a node. woodyplantstutorial.nres.illinois.edu
The arrangement remains observable on bare winter twigs through buds. texastreeid.tfs.tamu.edu
Leaf or bud arrangement is an initial feature used in winter identification of woody plants. nystateparks.blog
11
mathnouncountable
The additive inverse of a number, the value that yields zero when added to it.
Every real number has an opposite, found by changing its sign.
Subtracting a number gives the same result as adding its opposite.
Similarnegative, inverse
Note
Mathematics gives the word an exact value. The opposite of 7 is −7, the opposite of −7 is 7, and zero is its own opposite, since x + (−x) = 0. Finding it means changing the sign. Keep it apart from the reciprocal, which undoes multiplication rather than addition. Additive inverse is the formal name for the same idea.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 7 facts
The opposite of 7 is −7. openstax.org
The opposite of −7 is 7. math.libretexts.org
Zero is its own opposite. curriculum.harmonytx.org
A number added to its opposite equals zero. openstax.org
Finding the opposite reverses the sign of a nonzero number; zero remains zero. curriculum.harmonytx.org
The reciprocal is the multiplicative inverse, whereas the opposite is the additive inverse. openstax.org
Additive inverse is the formal term for a number's opposite. en.wikipedia.org
12
rivalnouncountable
An opponent or adversary, as in a contest or debate.
The debater studied her opposite's record before the championship.
Across the net, his opposite was already warming up for the match.
UsageUsually with a possessive: her opposite, his opposite across the net.
Similaropponent, rival, adversary
Note
The sense that stays closest to the Latin oppōnō behind the spatial adjective: an opposite is the one who opposes you, across a net or a debating floor. It usually names the person matched against a particular someone rather than an enemy in general.
13
against (a TV show)preposition
Broadcast on a different channel in the same time slot as (another program).
The documentary aired opposite the championship game and drew a small audience.
Scheduling the premiere opposite an awards show proved a costly mistake.
Similaragainst
Note
The prepositional form names the rival outright: Just Men! aired opposite The Young and the Restless. The object is the competing program, and the network follows with on (on CBS). Choosing what to schedule opposite a strong show is a strategic decision, and a poorly chosen slot can sink a premiere.
Checked 6 Nov 2026 · 4 facts
Just Men! aired against The Young and the Restless; this was outside the Eastern Time Zone. en.wikipedia.org
CBS was the network broadcasting the competing program, The Young and the Restless. en.wikipedia.org
Scheduling against competing shows is a strategic decision affecting audience size. en.wikipedia.org
An unsuitable time slot can cause a new program to fail. en.wikipedia.org
14
adverb
Of a program: broadcast on a different channel in the same time slot as another program.
The sitcom premiered in a tough slot, with the playoffs airing opposite.
Whatever the rival network scheduled opposite rarely dented the show's ratings.
Note
Television scheduling borrows the spatial picture and turns it into time: two programs face each other across the same slot, competing for one audience. As an adverb it stands alone at the end of a clause, with verbs like air, run or be scheduled, as in the playoffs were airing opposite. Naming the rival program turns it into the prepositional use.

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of opposite apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

Latin oppositus, the perfect passive participle of oppōnō ("I oppose"), reached English by way of Old French oposite; compare oppose.