What does antipode mean?
An antipode is the exact opposite of something — most literally, the point on the Earth's surface diametrically opposite another point, so that a straight line drawn between them passes through the planet's centre. If you could tunnel directly through the Earth from where you stand, you would emerge at your antipode. Because most landmasses have oceanic antipodes, very few cities have true terrestrial counterparts, which makes the geographic sense a favourite of trivia and cartography enthusiasts. By extension, the word carries a figurative meaning: a person, idea, or quality that stands as the complete opposite of another, as in "his caution was the antipode of her daring." Derived from Greek roots meaning "feet opposite," it entered English in the sixteenth century and remains somewhat formal today. Speakers more commonly reach for "opposite" in casual conversation, reserving "antipode" for precise, elegant, or scientific contexts.
nounThe direct opposite of something; specifically, the exact opposite point on the globe, or a person or thing situated at such an opposite point.
- A place or thing diametrically opposite another on the Earth's surface.
- By extension, any direct or complete opposite of a person, idea, quality, or thing.
"New Zealand is nearly the antipode of Spain, so when one country wakes to morning, the other settles into evening."
"The antipode of London lies in the waters south-east of New Zealand."
"His cheerful optimism was the very antipode of her brooding pessimism."
The plural "antipodes" usually refers collectively to a pair of opposite points, or historically to peoples living on the opposite side of the globe; British usage often applies it to Australia and New Zealand.
"Britain and New Zealand are often described as lying in each other's antipodes."
Dig a hole straight through the Earth and you'd almost never land in China — but you might just surface in the ocean near New Zealand's antipode.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of antipode
The word derives from Greek "antipodes" (ἀντίπους), meaning "with feet opposite" — from "anti-" (against, opposite) plus "pous" (foot), describing people who would stand foot-to-foot on opposite sides of the globe. It passed into Latin as "antipodes" and entered English in the sixteenth century, initially referring to inhabitants of the supposed opposite side of the Earth before settling into its modern senses. Related words sharing the same Greek root include "antipodal," "antipodean," and, more distantly via the "anti-" prefix, terms like "antipathy."
Related word forms
How antipode is actually used
Mostly formal or literary in register. In everyday speech, people more often say "opposite" or use the plural collective "the antipodes" to refer to Australia and New Zealand. The figurative sense (a person or quality as someone's antipode) is common in essays and criticism.
Easily confused with antipode
"Antipode" refers to a single opposite point or counterpart, while "antipodes" (plural) denotes the set of all such opposite points — often used collectively for Australia and New Zealand from a British perspective.