- 1[only before noun] on the other side of a particular area from someone or something, and usually facing them Answers are given on the opposite page. We live farther down on the opposite side of the street. It's not easy having a relationship when you live on opposite ends of the country.
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- 2(used after the noun) facing the speaker or someone or something that has been mentioned I could see smoke coming from the windows of the house directly opposite. He sat down in the chair opposite.
- 3[usually before noun] as different as possible from something I watched them leave and then drove off in the opposite direction. She tried calming him down but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. students at opposite ends of the ability range
A newly married couple lived opposite (= on the other side of the street) to them. See opposite (= on the opposite page) for further details.Idioms
a person who does the same job as you in another organization The Secretary of State is currently having talks with her opposite number in the British Government.
the other sex He found it difficult to talk to members of the opposite sex.
to have different aims that cannot be achieved together without causing problemsSee opposite in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: opposite