opposite

Opposite refers to something that is directly contrasting or reversed relative to another thing. In everyday language, the term is most often used to describe antonyms—words with meanings that are opposite to each other. Opposites can be binary, such as alive versus dead, where there is no intermediate state, or gradable, such as hot versus cold, where degrees exist between them.

In linguistics, opposites are categorized into several types. Binary opposites, also called complementary pairs, have no middle ground. Gradable opposites allow intermediate values and can form comparative scales. Relational opposites describe opposite roles within a relationship, such as buy and sell, teacher and student, or give and receive.

In logic and mathematics, opposites relate to negation or additive inverses. The negation of a statement reverses its truth value. The additive inverse of a number x is −x. Opposite directions or sides are also used in geometry and physics, such as left and right, up and down, or opposite faces on a cube. The concept of inverse functions or inverse operations is related but distinct from everyday opposites.

Opposite can function as an adjective (opposite sides), a noun (the opposite), or a preposition (on the opposite side of the street). Etymologically, opposite derives from Latin oppositus, meaning placed against.

See also: antonym, negation, inverse, binary opposition, relational antonyms.