Opposite has 15 different meanings across 4 categories:
a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other
"to him the antonym of `gay' was `depressed'"
a contestant that you are matched against
"When I stepped onto the boxing ring, my opponent was clearly the opposite of me in height and fighting style."
Something opposite or contrary to something else.
"The team's strategy was completely opposite to their opponent's, focusing on defense rather than offense."
In plain English: An opposite is something that is completely different from another thing, like hot being the opposite of cold.
"The opposite of north is south."
Usage: Use "opposite" as a noun to refer to a person, place, or thing that contrasts directly with another, such as calling the dark side of the moon its "opposite." It functions as a standalone subject or object rather than an adjective describing a relationship between two items.
being directly across from each other; facing
"And I on the opposite shore will be, ready to ride and spread the alarm"
"we lived on opposite sides of the street"
"at opposite poles"
moving or facing away from each other
"looking in opposite directions"
"they went in opposite directions"
the other one of a complementary pair
"the opposite sex"
"the two chess kings are set up on squares of opposite colors"
altogether different in nature or quality or significance
"the medicine's effect was opposite to that intended"
"it is said that opposite characters make a union happiest"
characterized by opposite extremes; completely opposed
"in diametric contradiction to his claims"
"diametrical (or opposite) points of view"
"opposite meanings"
"extreme and indefensible polar positions"
Located directly across from something else, or from each other.
"The coffee shop is right opposite the library, making it easy to grab a quick bite before studying."
In plain English: Opposite means being completely different from something else, like facing the other way or having the reverse effect.
"The quiet library is on the opposite side of the noisy street from our hotel."
Usage: Use "opposite" as an adjective to describe two things that are positioned directly across from one another, such as sitting in opposite seats. It functions as a preposition when you need to specify the location of a single item relative to another, like the house opposite the bank.
directly facing each other
"the two photographs lay face-to-face on the table"
"lived all their lives in houses face-to-face across the street"
"they sat opposite at the table"
In an opposite position.
"She stood on the opposite side of the court, ready to receive the serve."
In plain English: Opposite means facing or going in the completely different direction from something else.
"The car drove in the opposite direction after they missed their exit."
Usage: Use "opposite" only as an adjective or noun; it cannot function as an adverb to modify a verb. Instead of saying "sit opposite," use the prepositional phrase "sit on the opposite side."
Facing, or across from.
"She sat on the opposite side of the table from her boss."
The word opposite comes from the Latin oppositus, which originally described something placed face to face or in front of another thing. It traveled into English through Old French and Middle English before taking on its current meaning of being directly contrary.