Etymology Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.
1
Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
She saw him walking on the opposite side of the road.
2
Biology, Botany, Natural sciences Of leaves and flowers, positioned directly across from each other on a stem.
3
Facing in the other direction.
They were moving in opposite directions.
4
Of either of two complementary or mutually exclusive things.
Novels, by which the reader is misled into another sort of pieasure opposite to that which is designed in an epick poem.1697, Virgil, “Dedication”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […], →OCLC:
, Book III Particles of speech have divers, and sometimes almost opposite, significations.
Etymology Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.
› Something or someone opposite to something…
1
A person or thing that is importantly (substantively) different from someone or something else.
› Something or someone opposite to something… › A person or thing that is importantly…
2
Especially, one that is different to the extreme degree of being the reverse.
She is the opposite of her ex-boyfriend who abused her both physically and verbally nearly every day for five years. She now works as an advocate and supportive listener for others who have endured abusive relationships.
› Something or someone opposite to something…
3
An opponent.
The dogfighter fought closely with his opposite.
4
A counterpart.
The Swedish diplomat worked closely with his opposite from Denmark.
Etymology Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.
1
In an opposite position.
I was on my seat and she stood opposite.
Where's the bus station? -Over there, just opposite.
Etymology Inherited from Middle English opposit, borrowed from Old French oposite, from Latin oppositus, perfect passive participle of oppōnō (“to oppose”). Compare oppose.
1
Facing, or across from.
There’s a bus stop opposite the faculty entrance, right on the other side of the road.
It was April 22, 1831, and a young man was walking down Whitehall in the direction of Parliament Street.[…]. He halted opposite the Privy Gardens, and, with his face turned skywards, listened until the sound of the Tower guns smote again on the ear and dispelled his doubts.1906, Stanley J[ohn] Weyman, chapter I, in Chippinge Borough, New York, N.Y.: McClure, Phillips & Co., →OCLC, page 01: