antipode

Meanings

1. 1nouncountable

   A place on the earth's surface that is exactly opposite another place, on the other side of the globe.

   Grammar: Countable; usually used in the plural, antipodes, for the pair of opposite places.

   Patterns

   • the antipode of something
   • the antipodes of something
   • at the antipodes

   The antipode of London is in the Pacific Ocean, near New Zealand.

   If you dig straight down from Madrid, your antipode is in New Zealand.

2. 2nouncountableformal

   The exact opposite of a person, thing, or idea.

   Grammar: Often used in the plural antipodes for two opposite things or people.

   Patterns

   • the antipode of something
   • the antipodes of something

   His calm, patient manner is the antipode of his brother's hot temper.

   Their political views are complete antipodes.

Word forms

Common combinations

the antipode of

The antipode of the North Pole is the South Pole.

exact antipode

Her quiet style is the exact antipode of his loud approach.

at the antipodes

The island lies at the antipodes of the British Isles.

Synonyms and how they differ

opposite

Opposite is the everyday word for a contrasting thing; antipode is more formal and often used in geographical contexts.

reverse

Reverse suggests the back or contrary side of something, while antipode emphasizes a direct, exact opposite point.

Word family

antipodal adjective

Relating to or situated on the opposite side of the earth.

antipodes noun

Two places or regions on exactly opposite sides of the earth.

Commonly confused: antipode or antipathy?

Practice

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