The word “apposite” is a very interesting one. It is spelt as “AP-ah-zit”. It means “strikingly appropriate and relevant”. In terms of how we say it, the word “opposite” and “apposite” are very very similar. But, in terms of the meaning, the words “apposite” and “opposite” are simply opposite!

The word “Apposite” derives from the root words : ad – which means “near” and “ponere” which means “to place”. Hence, “apposite” = “to place near” or in other words, “relevant”.

However, the word “opposite” derives from the root “opponere” which means “set against” and hence the meaning of “not similar” and “against”.

There are many words in english which sound phonetically similar but mean exactly the opposite of each other. Apposite and opposite are one such pair.