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Definition of opposable

opposable

/əˈpoʊ.zə.bəl/
op · pos · a · ble
Adverb:opposably
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opposable Lexical Profile

opposable Game Scores & Validity

• adjective

1

Capable of being placed opposite to the other digits on the same hand or foot, allowing objects to be grasped and manipulated (especially of a primate's thumb or big toe).

Example

"The evolution of opposable thumbs allowed early hominids to craft and handle complex stone tools with precision."

2

Capable of being opposed, resisted, or contested.

Example

"The committee concluded that the proposed zoning variance was legally opposable by neighboring property owners."

Synonyms
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Antonyms
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• Rhymes for opposable

• Nearby Words

opportunistic
opportunistically
opportunity
opposable
oppose
opposed
opposer

Word Origin & Etymology

Borrowed from French 'opposable' in the late 16th century, derived from the verb 'opposer' (to set against, from Latin 'opponere') combined with the suffix '-able'. Its anatomical sense describing primate thumbs emerged in late 18th-century comparative zoology.

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Opposable. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/opposable
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