opposite

UK: /ˈɒpəzɪt/ US: /ˈɑpəzɪt, -sɪt/ ,(op′ə zit, -sit)

WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2025

op•po•site /ˈɑpəzɪt, -sɪt/   adj. 

1. [sometimes: after a noun] located or lying face to face with something else or each other, or placed in corresponding positions across a line, space, etc.:
   They sat at opposite ends of the room.
   [be + ~ + to/from + object]
   We were opposite to each other on the train.
2. very or totally different:
   opposite sides in a controversy.

n. [countable]

3. a person or thing that is opposite in character.
4. antonym:
   The words friend and enemy are opposites.

prep. 

5. across from;
   facing:
   He sat opposite me on the train.

adv. 

6. on or to the opposite side:
   I was at one end and she sat opposite.

See -pos-.

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

op•po•site  (op′ə zit, -sit), adj. 

1. situated, placed, or lying face to face with something else or each other, or in corresponding positions with relation to an intervening line, space, or thing:
   opposite ends of a room.
2. contrary or radically different in some respect common to both, as in nature, qualities, direction, result, or significance;
   opposed:
   opposite sides in a controversy; opposite directions.
3. being the other of two related or corresponding things:
   friendly with many members of the opposite sex.
4. [Bot.]
   • Botany situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
   • Botany having one organ vertically above another;
     superimposed.
5. adverse or inimical.

n. 

6. a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.
7. an antonym.
8. [Archaic.] an opponent;
   antagonist.

prep. 

9. across from;
   facing:
   The guest of honor sat opposite me at the banquet.
10. in a role parallel or complementary to:
    He has played opposite many leading ladies.

adv. 

11. on opposite sides.
12. on the opposite side:
    I was at one end and she sat opposite.
13. to the opposite side;
    in the opposite direction:
    I went to the left balcony, and he went opposite.

• Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere to set against. See oppose, -ite²
• Middle French
• Middle English 1350–1400

op′po•site•ly, adv. 
op′po•site•ness, n. 
Synonyms

• 1. facing.
• 2. incompatible, irreconcilable, unlike, differing.
  Opposite, contrary, reverse imply that two things differ from each other in such a way as to indicate a definite kind of relationship.
  Opposite suggests symmetrical antithesis in position, action, or character:
  opposite ends of a pole, sides of a road, views.
  Contrary sometimes adds to opposite the idea of conflict or antagonism:
  contrary statements, beliefs.
  Reverse suggests something that faces or moves in the opposite direction:
  the reverse side of a coin; a reverse gear.

Antonyms

• 2. same, like.

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

opposite / ˈɒpəzɪt -sɪt/ adjective

1. situated or being on the other side or at each side of something between
2. facing or going in contrary directions: opposite ways
3. diametrically different in character, tendency, belief, etc: opposite views
4. (of leaves, flowers, etc) arranged in pairs on either side of the stem
5. (of parts of a flower) arranged opposite the middle of another part
6. (of two vertices or sides in an even-sided polygon) separated by the same number of vertices or sides in both a clockwise and anticlockwise direction
7. (of a side in a triangle) facing a specified angle
   Abbreviation: opp

noun

1. a person or thing that is opposite; antithesis
2. a rare word for opponent

preposition

1. Also: opposite to facing; corresponding to (something on the other side of a division)
2. as a co-star with: she played opposite Alec Baldwin on Broadway

adverb

1. on opposite sides: she lives opposite

ˈoppositely adverb

ˈoppositeness noun