26984 words

opposite

16 definitions • 35 examples
1
completely different:

Examples:

opposite to You'd never know they're sisters - they're completely opposite to each other in every way.
opposite effect Police attempts to calm the violence had the opposite effect.
2
being in a position on the other side; facing:

Examples:

My brother and I live on opposite sides of the city.
The map on the opposite page shows where these birds commonly breed.
opposite (to/from) They sat at opposite ends of the table (to/from each other), refusing to talk.
3
facing the speaker or stated person or thing:

Examples:

If you want to buy tickets, you need to go to the counter opposite.
Who owns that house opposite (= on the other side of the road)?
4
In baseball, the opposite field is the right side of the field for a right-handed batter (= the person who hits the ball) or the left side of the field for a left-handed batter:

Examples:

He hit a home run to the opposite field.
Wilson hit the pitch the opposite way for a single.
5
in a position facing someone or something but on the other side:

Examples:

We're in the building opposite the government offices.
They sat opposite each other.
Put a tick opposite (= next to) the answer that you think is correct.
6
to act a part in a film or play with someone as a partner:

Examples:

Katharine Hepburn played opposite Henry Fonda in many films.
7
something or someone that is completely different from another person or thing:

Examples:

the opposite My father is a very calm person, but my mother is just the opposite.
the exact opposite She's turned out to be the exact opposite of what everyone expected.
the opposite of The opposite of "fast" is "slow".
8
in a position facing someone or something but on the other side:

Examples:

She asked the man sitting opposite whether he'd mind if she opened the window.
The people who live opposite (= on the other side of the road) are always making a lot of noise.
9
completely different:

Examples:

We turned and walked in the opposite direction.
People often believe the exact opposite of what you tell them.
His efforts to intimidate his enemies produced just the opposite effect (= made them braver).
10
being in a position on the other side; facing:

Examples:

The two settlements are on opposite sides of the river.
We’re in the building opposite the gas station.
She asked the man sitting opposite if she could borrow his newspaper.
11
completely different:

Examples:

opposite to sth This year's conference is completely opposite to last year's, which was very poorly attended.
The new rates of pay were intended to increase staff morale, but they had the opposite effect.
12
in a position on the other side to something:

Examples:

the opposite side/end/edge to sth We're on the opposite side of the city to the airport.
13
facing you or facing someone or something:

Examples:

If you want to buy tickets, you need to go to the counter opposite.
14
in a position facing someone or something but on the other side:

Examples:

We're in the building opposite the government offices.
They sat opposite each other.
15
something or someone that is completely different from another person or thing:

Examples:

the opposite of sth/sb She tends to do the opposite of what people expect.
The new CEO is the exact opposite of his predecessor.
We thought negotiations would be easy, but they were just the opposite.
16
in a position facing someone or something but on the other side:

Examples:

The offices will be on this side of the road, and the warehouse will be built opposite.

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