opposite
/ˈɒpəzɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːpəzɪt/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-pə-zət ˈäp-sət/ (ame, mw) · /ˈɒp.ə.zɪt/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑː.pə.zɪt/ (ame, ipa)
opposite — adjective
1. as different from another person, thing, or idea as possible
as different from another person, thing, or idea as possible
Quiet village life felt opposite to Emma's busy years in Seoul.
opposite to + noun phrase
Marcus chose the opposite answer from everyone else in class.
The two brothers have opposite views on where to spend New Year.
The film's hospital ending sends the opposite message from its cheerful trailer.
- contrary
more formal and often used for ideas, opinions, or results.
- conflicting
stresses disagreement or clash, especially between plans or views.
- different
weaker and broader; it does not always suggest extreme contrast.
文法句型
opposite to + noun phrase
用法筆記
Distinguish from simply different: this sense usually suggests the strongest possible contrast, not a small or ordinary difference.
常見錯誤
2. on the far side of a space and facing the person or thing across it
on the far side of a space and facing the person or thing across it
Our hotel room was opposite the train station in central Kyoto.
be opposite + place
A fruit shop stands opposite the school gate on Park Road.
Grandma sat opposite me during lunch and passed the fish.
The red house opposite ours has sunflowers by the front wall.
- across from
a very close everyday equivalent, especially in American English.
- facing
stresses direction and can be used without the idea of a gap.
- beside
places things next to each other rather than across a space.
文法句型
be opposite + place/person
sit opposite + person
用法筆記
Common for the physical position of people, seats, buildings, or rooms. It often follows linking or position verbs such as be, sit, stand, and live.
常見錯誤
3. used for the side, page, wall, arm, or end that faces the one already mentioned
used for the side, page, wall, arm, or end that faces the one already mentioned
Write your name on the opposite side of the card.
the opposite side of + noun
The train map is printed on the opposite page of our guidebook.
the opposite page
A clock hung on the opposite wall above the piano.
The nurse pointed to the opposite arm for the next shot.
- same
used when two things are on one side or identical in position.
文法句型
the opposite side/page/wall/end
用法筆記
Usually comes before a noun and refers back to something already named. Distinguish from sense 2: this sense commonly appears in set noun phrases like opposite side or opposite page.
4. in baseball, in the area away from the side where a batter usually pulls the bal
in baseball, in the area away from the side where a batter usually pulls the ball
The coach told Ben to hit the opposite field in practice.
hit the opposite field
A right-handed batter sent the ball to the opposite side.
In the ninth inning, Mia hit a single to the opposite field.
In the seventh inning, Luis split the opposite-field gap for a double.
- opposite-field
a close baseball adjective used especially before nouns like hit or single.
- away-side
a looser sports description, not the standard baseball label.
- pull-side
the side a batter usually hits toward when pulling the ball.
文法句型
hit to the opposite field
use the opposite side
用法筆記
Only used in baseball. It describes the side a batter hits to when the ball goes away from the side that player usually pulls toward.
opposite — preposition
1. across from someone or something, with a space between
across from someone or something, with a space between
We sat opposite the bakery and watched the first buses leave.
sit opposite + place
A pharmacy is opposite the library near the river bridge.
Nina parked opposite the blue gate because the lot was full.
The statue stands opposite City Hall at the end of the square.
- across from
a very close everyday equivalent, especially in North American use.
- facing
can be similar, but it focuses more on direction than position.
- beside
shows a side-by-side position rather than one across from the other.
文法句型
sit/live/stand opposite + place/person
用法筆記
Use this sense before the place or person on the far side of a street, table, room, or other space. Distinguish from the adverb sense: this one must be followed by an object.
常見錯誤
2. in a matching role with another actor in the same film, play, or show
in a matching role with another actor in the same film, play, or show
Park Eun-bin acted opposite Lee Je-hoon in the new drama.
act opposite + actor
In the school play, Maya performed opposite the boy playing Hamlet.
Nina starred opposite a veteran actor in her first TV series.
Ken will appear opposite his sister in next month's musical.
文法句型
act/appear opposite + actor
用法筆記
Usually follows acting verbs such as act, appear, perform, and star. The noun after opposite names the other performer, not the audience or the place.
opposite — noun
1. a person or thing that seems completely different in character, effect, or behav
a person or thing that seems completely different in character, effect, or behavior from another
Lina loves crowded markets, but her brother is the opposite.
be the opposite
This soft cheese is the opposite of the dry one.
the opposite of + noun phrase
Their new coach, calm and quiet, is the exact opposite of the last one.
My weekend routine of late breakfasts and bike rides is the opposite of workdays.
- reverse
often used for order, direction, or arrangement rather than character.
- contrast
focuses on difference itself, not always on one thing being the direct other side.
- counterpart
usually means a matching person or thing, not a completely different one.
- match
suggests close similarity or fit.
文法句型
be the opposite of + noun phrase
用法筆記
Most often appears in the pattern the opposite of. It usually compares two people or things in a broad way, not just in one tiny detail.
常見錯誤
opposite — adverb
1. across, in the place that faces the other person or thing
across, in the place that faces the other person or thing
Our cousins lived opposite, above a noodle shop near the station.
live opposite
The manager waved from opposite as Daniel crossed the hall.
After the bank closed, a flower shop opened opposite on King Street.
At dinner, Maya and Leo sat opposite and shared the dumplings.
文法句型
live/be/stand opposite
用法筆記
Unlike the preposition sense, this use stands alone without a noun after it. It is common when the place or person is already clear from context.