opposite
gb/ˈɑpəzɪt/ us/ˈɑpəzɪt/
A1
English
~ 2300
ellentétes, ellenkező, szemben, ellentét, szöges ellentét
A2
1
ellentétes
B1
ellenkező
B1
Usage pattern:
[something] is opposite [something]
The two politicians have opposite views on the issue.
A két politikusnak ellentétes nézetei vannak a kérdésben.
North is the opposite direction to south.
Észak a déllel ellentétes irány.
Her cheerful mood was the opposite of his sadness.
Learner examples
Black is the opposite color of white.
A fekete a fehér ellentéte.
Hot is the opposite of cold.
A meleg a hideg ellentéte.
Left is the opposite direction of right.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes confuse 'opposite' with 'across from' in spatial contexts; while related, 'opposite' here refers to difference, not position.
Meaning
Completely different or contrary
Collocations
opposite direction
|opposite side
|opposite meaning
|opposite effect
Synonyms
contrary (Slightly more formal and often used for opinions or tendencies.)
Antonyms
similar (Indicates that two things are alike rather than different.)
Themes
comparison
|directions
|logic
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Completely different from something else.
Being as different as possible in nature, character, or position.
A1
2
szemben
A2
Usage pattern:
[something] is opposite [something]
She sat opposite him at the dinner table.
Vele szemben ült a vacsoraasztalnál.
The bank is opposite the post office.
A bank a postával szemben van.
My desk is directly opposite the window.
Learner examples
The school is opposite the park.
Az iskola a parkkal szemben van.
He sits opposite me in class.
Az órán velem szemben ül.
The shop is opposite the bus stop.
Common mistake:
Learners sometimes use 'in front of' instead of 'opposite'; 'in front of' can imply facing the same direction, while 'opposite' implies facing each other.
Meaning
Facing and across from
Collocations
sit opposite
|directly opposite
|opposite side
Synonyms
across from (Common in American English; more explicitly spatial.)
Antonyms
next to (Means beside rather than facing across from.)
Themes
directions
|locations
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Directly across from someone or something.
Situated so as to face something or someone, usually across a space.
NOUN
A2
3
ellentét
B1
Her style is the complete opposite of mine.
A stílusa az enyém teljes ellentéte.
In many ways, he’s the polar opposite of his brother.
Sok szempontból szöges ellentéte a fiútestvérének.
The result was the exact opposite of what we expected.
Learner examples
My sister is the opposite of me.
A lánytestvérem az ellentétem.
Summer is the opposite of winter.
A nyár a tél ellentéte.
The result was the opposite of our plan.
Meaning
Something completely different
Collocations
complete opposite
|polar opposite
|exact opposite
Synonyms
antithesis (More formal and often used in academic contexts.)
Antonyms
equivalent (Indicates something that is the same in value or meaning.)
Themes
comparison
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Someone or something that is completely different from someone or something else.
A person or thing that is as different as possible from another.
A1
4
szemben
A2
They live opposite, so we see each other often.
Velünk szemben laknak, ezért gyakran látjuk egymást.
The café sits opposite, across the narrow street.
A kávézó szemben van, a keskeny utca túloldalán.
He placed the chair opposite so they could talk easily.
Learner examples
My house is opposite.
A házam szemben van.
She sits opposite in class.
Az órán szemben ül.
The shop is opposite.
Meaning
In a facing position across from
Collocations
directly opposite
Synonyms
across (Often used in the same spatial sense, but less specific about facing direction.)
Antonyms
alongside (Means side-by-side rather than facing.)
Themes
directions
|space
|core_vocabulary
Definition
Across from someone or something and facing them.
In a position directly across from something or someone.
Grammar
Dictionary form
opposite
IPA
GB/ˈɑpəzɪt/
US/ˈɑpəzɪt/
Syllables & stress
op - pos - ite (3 syllables)
Stress on 1st syllable (op)
Word forms
Adjective
- Base: opposite
Noun
- Base: opposite
- Plural: opposite, opposites
Word family
Forms
opposites
noun
Related words
Negative and opposite forms
same
adjective A1
Advanced or less common
oppositional
adjective
Expressions
diametrically opposed
1/dˌaɪəmˈɛtɹɪkli əpˈoʊzd/
fixed phrase
formal
Completely opposed in nature or opinion
Totally and directly against something else in opinion or nature.
Examples
- Their views are diametrically opposed on this issue.
- These two ideas are diametrically opposed.
opposite number
1/ˈɑpəzɪt nˈʌmbɚ/
fixed phrase
Equivalent person in another group
Someone with the same job or role in a different place or group.
Examples
- The French ambassador met with his American opposite number.
- I spoke to my opposite number in the London office.
the exact opposite
1/ðə ɪɡzˈækt ˈɑpəzɪt/
fixed phrase
Something totally different from another thing
Completely different from something else.
Examples
- What happened was the exact opposite of what we planned.
- Her opinion is the exact opposite of mine.
polar opposite
1/pˈoʊlɚ ˈɑpəzɪt/
fixed phrase
a single complete opposite
Something or someone that is completely different from another thing or person.
Examples
- They are polar opposites in personality.
- His new job is the polar opposite of his old one.
- This outcome is polar opposite to what we expected.
- This quiet village is the polar opposite of the busy city.
- Her lifestyle now is the polar opposite of what it was ten years ago.