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are opposites. | Black is the opposite of white. | She's rather quiet, but her sister is completely/just the opposite.
opposite² adj 1 [(to)] as different as possible from: He turned and walked in the opposite direction. | the opposite sex | They are at opposite ends of the political spectrum. (=their political views are completely different) 2 facing: He lives opposite me. | on the opposite page | [after n] I live in the houses opposite.
opposite³ prep facing: the houses opposite the station
opposite 'number n BrE a person in the same job as oneself but in a different organization: Our Safety Officer will discuss the problem with his opposite number in your firm. -> compare COUNTERPART
op·po·si·tion /ˌɒpəzɪʃən||ˌɑː-/ n 1 [U(to)] the act or state of being opposed to or fighting against: There was a lot of opposition to the new road. | His proposals met with fierce opposition. 2 [U] the people who are fighting or competing against (someone): Our team will be a good match for the opposition. 3 [(the)+sing./pl. v] (often cap.) the political parties opposed to the government, especially the most important of these parties, in Britain the LABOUR or CONSERVATIVE party: The Opposition is/are voting against this bill.
CULTURAL NOTE The Opposition In the UK, the Opposition is an important part of the political system. The members of the Opposition sit in Parliament. Their main job is to criticize the government, but they also work with the government on special committees set up to examine particular problems. The official title of the Opposition is 'Her Majesty's Loyal Opposition', which shows that the Opposition is considered to be loyal to the Queen and to the country, although it does not agree with the government's ideas.
op·press /əˈpres/ v [T] 1 to rule in a hard and cruel way: The oppressed peasants rose up against the dictator. 2 [usually pass.] especially lit to cause to feel ill or sad: oppressed by/with worry
op·pres·sion /əˈpreʃən/ n [U] the condition of oppressing or being oppressed
op·pres·sive /əˈpresɪv/ adj 1 cruel; unjust: oppressive taxation 2 causing feelings of illness or sadness 3 with no wind and very hot, as if there is about to be a storm: We've had really oppressive weather today. —ly adv —ness n [U]
op·pres·sor /əˈpresər/ n a person or group that oppresses
op·pro·bri·um /əˈprəʊbriəm/ n [U] fml public shame or hatred
O·prah /ˈəʊprə/ a US TALK SHOW, which is presented by Oprah WINFREY. The show is the best-known example of 'confessional TV', a type of television programme in which people talk publicly about very personal matters, such as their sexual relationships or bad things that they have done in their lives.
opt /ɒpt||ɑːpt/ v [I+for/to-v] to make a choice (especially of one thing or course of action instead of another): You can opt to receive your pension in small regular amounts or in a single lump sum. | The voters opted for higher taxes rather than any reduction in services.
opt out phr v 1 [I(of)] to choose not to do something or take part in something: You promised to help us, so please don't opt out (of it) now. | Employees may choose to opt out of the company pension scheme and to make their own arrangements. 2 BrE (of a hospital or school) to choose to leave local authority control and to receive money to run the organization direct from the government
op·tic /ˈɒptɪk||ˈɑːp-/ adj of or belonging to the eyes: the optic nerve -> see picture at EYE
op·ti·cal /ˈɒptɪkəl||ˈɑːp-/ adj 1 of or about the sense of sight; VISUAL: optical instruments | an optical illusion (=something that deceives the sense of sight) 2 of or using light, especially for the purpose of recording and storing information for use in a computer system: optical character recognition | optical storage | an optical disk -> compare MAGNETIC —ly /kli/ adv
optical 'art n [U] OP ART
optical 'character recognition n [U] tech computer software that recognizes numbers and letters of the alphabet which are written on paper, so that information from paper documents can be scanned (SCAN) into a computer
,optical 'fibre n a thread-like piece of glass or plastic which can carry light, and is used in many modern technical situations where electricity was formerly used
op·ti·cian /ɒpˈtɪʃən||ɑːp-/ n a person who makes glasses and/or CONTACT LENSES and sells them in a shop (optician's): I've got an appointment at the optician's today.
Compare oculist, optician, optometrist, and ophthalmologist. Oculist is an old-fashioned word and not much used. In Britain, people associate eye-tests and glasses with an optician; in the US, optometrist is more common. Technically, an optician is qualified only to make glasses, not to test the eyes, but an ophthalmologist holds a regular medical degree and specializes in the eyes. He or she can test the eyes, and also perform SURGERY on them, or PRESCRIBE drugs.
op·tics /ˈɒptɪks||ɑːp-/ n [U] the scientific study of light
op·ti·mal /ˈɒptɪməl||ˈɑːp-/ adj OPTIMUM
op·ti·mis·m /ˈɒptɪmɪzəm||ˈɑːp-/ n [U] a tendency to give more attention to the good side of a situation or to expect the best possible result -> opposite PESSIMISM
op·ti·mist /ˈɒptɪmɪst||ˈɑːp-/ n a person who thinks that whatever happens will be good: Tom, an eternal optimist/ever the optimist, hadn't bothered to bring his umbrella. —ic /ˌɒptɪˈmɪstɪk||ˌɑːp-/ adj: The experts are optimistic about our chances of success/optimistic that we will succeed. —ically /kli/ adv -> opposite PESSIMIST
op·ti·mize also -mise BrE /ˈɒptɪmaɪz||ˈɑːp-/ v [T] to make as perfect or effective as possible: to tune up a racing car engine in order to optimize its performance
op·ti·mum /ˈɒptɪməm||ˈɑːp-/ also optimal adj [A] most likely to bring success or advantage; most favourable: optimum conditions for growing rice
op·tion /ˈɒpʃən||ˈɑːp-/ n 1 [(the)U] the freedom to choose: You will have to pay them; you have no option. 2 [C] one of a number of courses of action that are possible and may be chosen: The government has two options: to reduce spending or to increase taxes. | I want to keep my options open for the moment. (=not choose too soon) | There are various options open to you. (=possible for you) | The students regard this subject as a soft option. (=easier than others that could be chosen) 3 [C] something that is offered as well as standard equipment: The car includes air-conditioning among its options. 4 [C(on)] the right to buy or sell something in the future: Jones has taken an option on shares in the company.
op·tion·al /ˈɒpʃənəl||ˈɑːp-/ adj which may be freely chosen or not chosen: optional subjects at school | The car radio is an optional extra. -> opposites COMPULSORY, OBLIGATORY —ly adv
op·tom·e·trist /ɒpˈtɒmɪtrɪst||ɑːpˈtɑː-/ n especially AmE a specialist who tests the eyes and PRESCRIBES glasses for people who cannot see properly without them -> see OPTICIAN (USAGE)
'opt-out n BrE 1 (of a person or group) the act of choosing not to join a system or accept an agreement: an opt-out clause | [on/from] the government's opt-out on the euro 2 (of a school or hospital in Britain) the act of choosing to control its own money, instead of being controlled by local government: an opt-out school
op·u·lence /ˈɒpjʊləns||ˈɑːp-/ n [U] very great and splendid wealth
op·u·lent /ˈɒpjʊlənt||ˈɑːp-/ adj 1 having or showing great wealth: opulent surroundings 2 fml in good supply; PLENTIFUL: an opulent beard —ly adv
o·pus /ˈəʊpəs/ n [C usually sing.] 1 (often cap.) a work of music by a particular musician, numbered according to when it was written: Beethoven's Opus 106 2 often pomp or derog any work of art -> see also MAGNUM OPUS
or /ɔːr; strong ɔːr/ conj 1 (often with either; used before the last of a set of possibilities): Would you prefer coffee or tea? | She's either 21 or 22. | I don't care whether I get it or not. | Did you or didn't you? | She's going to spend the summer in London or Paris or Rome/in London, Paris, or Rome. -> see EITHER³ (USAGE) 2 (after a negative) and not: He never smokes or drinks. 3 if not; otherwise: Wear your coat or (else) you'll be cold. | He can't be ill, or he wouldn't have come. | Either say you're sorry or get out! 4 (used when giving a second name