ENGLISH
REFERENCE

opposite

adj. · prep. · n. · adv.
US //ˈɑpəzət// UK //ˈɒpəsˌɪt// op·po·site
  1. 1 facing or across from (adj.)
    A1 Beginner

    being on the other side of a space, like a street or a room.

    located directly across from something else or from each other in space.

    Example

    They live in the house on the opposite side of the street.

    Example

    The two shops are situated on opposite corners of the intersection, making them easy to compare for passing shoppers.
  2. 2 completely different (adj.)
    B1 Intermediate

    completely different from something else.

    of a nature or character that is as different as possible from something else.

    Example

    The two brothers have opposite personalities; one is shy and the other is loud.

    Example

    The candidates hold opposite views on economic policy, leading to a heated debate during the televised forum.
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  1. 3 across from (prep.)
    A2 Elementary

    facing someone or something.

    positioned in a location facing or across from a specified person or object.

    Example

    I sat opposite him during the long dinner and we talked for hours.

    Example

    The new gallery is located directly opposite the museum entrance, benefiting from the high volume of foot traffic in the area.
  2. 4 the reverse thing (n.)
    B1 Intermediate

    a person or thing that is the total reverse of another.

    a person or thing that is totally different from or the reverse of someone or something else.

    Example

    Hot is the opposite of cold.

    Example

    In many ways, the sequel was the exact opposite of the original film, trading quiet suspense for loud action sequences.
  3. 5 in a facing position (adv.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    in a position that faces something else.

    in a position across from or facing another specified point.

    Example

    He sat down and his sister sat opposite.

    Example

    The two buildings were designed to mirror each other, with identical windows placed exactly opposite.
  4. 6 botany (adj.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Science

    leaves or flowers that grow in pairs on both sides of a stem.

    describing leaves or flowers that are positioned in pairs directly across from each other on a stem.

    Example

    You can identify this plant by its opposite leaves that grow in pairs.

    Example

    The species is characterised by its opposite leaf arrangement, which distinguishes it from similar-looking shrubs in the same region.
  5. 7 mathematics (n.)
    C1 Advanced Technical Math

    a number that, when added to another number, results in zero.

    the additive inverse of a number; the value that yields zero when added to the original number.

    Example

    The opposite of five is negative five.

    Example

    Students must understand that adding a number to its opposite will always result in a sum of zero.
    • additive inverse
Origin

Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.

Idioms1 entry

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