opposite

Everyday

1. The opposite is the thing that is as different as can be: up is the opposite of down. tree →
2. Opposite also means facing, on the other side: the shop opposite the school. tree →
3. In shapes, opposite sides or angles are across from each other. tree →

In the lessons

In maths: opposite sides of a shape (equal in a rectangle); opposite operations (add and subtract, multiply and divide); places facing each other; the opposite of a number like 5 is −5. In English lessons: opposites (antonyms) like hot and cold. In science: opposite poles of magnets attract. In stories: «the opposite bank of the river».

Examples

• Opposite sides of a rectangle are equal. tree →
• Subtraction is the opposite of addition. tree →
• The shop is opposite the school. tree →
• The opposite side is 8 cm long. tree →
• Hot is the opposite of cold. tree →
• Opposite poles of a magnet pull together. tree →
• She sat opposite me at lunch. tree →
• The twins like opposite things. tree →
• Multiplication and division are opposite operations. tree →
• ‘It is just the opposite of you! tree →

Note

In shapes, opposite sides of a rectangle are equal, so you can find a missing side. Opposite operations undo each other. Trap: «opposite» as a place gives no number. Spelling: opposite (double «p», one «s»). «Opposite to» and «opposite» (with no «to») are both used for places.

In Jewish tradition

Interpretation: Sefer Yetzirah shows that the same letters in a different order can make words with opposite meanings. In the primary lessons: In maths: opposite sides of a shape (equal in a rectangle); opposite operations (add and subtract, multiply and divide); places facing each other; the opposite of a number like 5 is −5. In English lessons: opposites (antonyms) like hot and cold. In science: opposite poles of magnets attract. In stories: «the opposite bank of the river».

Examples

• Fifty loops made he in the one curtain, and fifty loops made he in the edge of the curtain that was in the second set; the loops were opposite one to another. (Torah EXO.36.12, JPS 1917) tree →
• Fifty loops shalt thou make in the one curtain, and fifty loops shalt thou make in the edge of the curtain that is in the second set; the loops shall be opposite one to another. (Torah EXO.26.5, JPS 1917) tree →
• He means to say, that the letters of the words ענג and נגע are the same, but they signify nevertheless, opposite ideas on account of transposition. (Sefer Yetzirah, Kalisch 1877) tree →

Note

In shapes, opposite sides of a rectangle are equal, so you can find a missing side. Opposite operations undo each other. Trap: «opposite» as a place gives no number. Spelling: opposite (double «p», one «s»). «Opposite to» and «opposite» (with no «to») are both used for places.