opposite

[op-uh-zit, -sit] /ˈɒp ə zɪt, -sɪt/
adjective
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.
Botany.
  1. situated on diametrically opposed sides of an axis, as leaves when there are two on one node.
  2. having one organ vertically above another; superimposed.
5.
adverse or inimical.
noun
6.
a person or thing that is opposite or contrary.
7.
an antonym.
8.
Archaic. an opponent; antagonist.
preposition
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.
adverb
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.
Origin
1350-1400; Middle English < Middle French < Latin oppositus, past participle of oppōnere to set against. See oppose, -ite2
Related forms
oppositely, adverb
oppositeness, noun
subopposite, adjective
suboppositely, adverb
suboppositeness, noun
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.
Examples from the web for opposite
  • On the opposite edge, pull fabric taut and staple to secure.
  • Both the living room and the kitchen, at opposite ends of the main space, overlook the dunes.
  • The shabby chic table opposite, for instance, is in my zip code range and seriously tempting.
  • Center and attach supports along opposite sides of base.
  • Three built-in shelves serve the bedroom wall and the entry on the opposite side.
  • Tie two opposite corners of cheesecloth into a knot over curds and do the same with the other two corners.
  • Fewer researchers were interested in studying the opposite problem: how cells identify and break down unwanted proteins.
  • Last year the publication of two studies that supported opposite conclusions fueled debate over the map's origins.
  • The subjects watched videos of hands entering the screen from one side and grasping objects on the opposite side.
  • Not necessarily--some filters work in the opposite way.
British Dictionary definitions for opposite

opposite

/ˈɒpəzɪt; -sɪt/
adjective
1.
situated or being on the other side or at each side of something between: their houses were at opposite ends of the street
2.
facing or going in contrary directions: opposite ways
3.
diametrically different in character, tendency, belief, etc: opposite views
4.
(botany)
  1. (of leaves, flowers, etc) arranged in pairs on either side of the stem
  2. (of parts of a flower) arranged opposite the middle of another part
5.
(maths)
  1. (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
  2. (of a side in a triangle) facing a specified angle opp
noun
6.
a person or thing that is opposite; antithesis
7.
(maths) the side facing a specified angle in a right-angled triangle
8.
a rare word for opponent
preposition
9.
Also opposite to. facing; corresponding to (something on the other side of a division): the house opposite ours
10.
as a co-star with: she played opposite Olivier in ``Hamlet''
adverb
11.
on opposite sides: she lives opposite
Derived Forms
oppositely, adverb
oppositeness, noun
Word Origin and History for opposite
adj.

late 14c., "placed on the other side of (something)," from Old French oposite "opposite, contrary" (13c.), from Latin oppositus "standing against, opposed, opposite," past participle of opponere "set against" (see opponent). Meaning "contrary in nature or character" is from 1570s. As a noun from late 14c. As a preposition from 1758. As an adverb from 1817. Related: Oppositely.

opposite in Science
opposite
  (ŏp'ə-zĭt)   

Arranged as one of a pair on either side of a stem or twig. Maple and ash trees have opposite leaves. Compare alternate.