- Placed or located directly across from something else or from each other: opposite sides of a building.
- Facing the other way; moving or tending away from each other: opposite directions.
- Being the other of two complementary or mutually exclusive things: the opposite sex; an opposite role to the lead in the play.
- Altogether different, as in nature, quality, or significance: The effect of the medication was opposite to that intended.
- Sharply contrasting; antithetical: had opposite views on the subject.
- Botany. Growing in pairs on either side of a stem: opposite leaves.
- One that is opposite or contrary to another.
- An opponent or antagonist.
- An antonym.
In an opposite position: They sat opposite at the table.
prep.
- Across from or facing: parked the car opposite the bank.
- In a complementary dramatic role to: He played opposite her.
[Middle English, from Old French, from Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere, oppose. See oppose.]
oppositely op'po·site·ly adv.oppositeness op'po·site·ness n.
SYNONYMS opposite, contrary, antithetical, contradictory. These adjectives mean marked by a natural or innate and irreconcilable opposition. Two things that are altogether different are opposite: Antonyms are words of opposite meaning. "It is said that opposite characters make a union happiest" (Charles Reade). Contrary stresses extreme divergence: Democrats and Republicans often hold contrary opinions. Antithetical emphasizes diametrical opposition: engaged in practices entirely antithetical to their professed beliefs. Contradictory implies denial or inconsistency: "contradictory attributes of unjust justice and loving vindictiveness" (John Morley).
