opposable

adjective

op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

1

: capable of being opposed or resisted

2

: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot

the opposable human thumb

opposability

ə-ˌpō-zə-ˈbi-lə-tē 

noun

Examples of opposable in a Sentence

Humans have an opposable thumb.

Recent Examples on the Web

This could be the app version of convergent evolution, which led humans and koalas to each have opposable thumbs. —Shira Ovide, Washington Post, 16 Apr. 2024

Thumb opposition isn’t unique to humans, and in fact an opposable thumb facilitates the enhanced grasping abilities of many primates. —Sabrina Sholts, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Mar. 2024

Its wide eyes and opposable thumbs help the pygmy slow loris move around the forest in the night, searching for tasty insects. —USA TODAY, 30 Jan. 2024

The ability to occlude the thumb is the key to the magic trick, so the thumb must be opposable. —Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 4 Apr. 2023

Word History

Etymology

oppose + -able

First Known Use

circa 1812, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

opposable

adjective

op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot

the opposable human thumb

Medical Definition

opposable

adjective

op·​pos·​able ə-ˈpō-zə-bəl 

: capable of being placed against one or more of the remaining digits of a hand or foot

an opposable thumb

opposability

-ˌpō-zə-ˈbil-ət-ē 

noun

plural opposabilities