opposite number
C1/C2Formal to neutral, common in professional, journalistic, and organizational contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person who holds the same position or fulfills the same function in a different organization, group, or team; a counterpart.
Beyond formal organizations, can refer to any direct counterpart in a symmetrical relationship, such as a partner in a negotiation, a rival in a competition, or a spouse/partner in a domestic context (informal).
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies a mirroring relationship. It is not merely a synonym for 'colleague'; it specifically denotes the person in the equivalent role on the 'other side.' Often used in contexts of diplomacy, business, sports, and administration.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Slightly more common and established in British English, but perfectly standard and understood in American English.
Connotations
In both varieties, it carries a professional, slightly bureaucratic connotation. In informal British use, it can humorously refer to one's spouse.
Frequency
High frequency in UK news and business reporting; moderate but established frequency in US equivalent contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
[Possessive] + opposite number + at/in + [Organization/Department]to meet with + [possessive] + opposite numberVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “To be someone's opposite number”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
The marketing director will meet her opposite number at the merged company next week.
Academic
The researcher shared her findings with her opposite number at the collaborating university.
Everyday
(UK, informal) I'll have to check with my opposite number before we book that holiday.
Technical
The network engineer configured the firewall to communicate with its opposite number in the remote data centre.
Examples
By Part of Speech
noun
British English
- My opposite number at the Home Office was surprisingly helpful.
- The managers and their opposite numbers from the union sat down for talks.
American English
- She contacted her opposite number at the Canadian embassy to coordinate the response.
- The quarterback studied film of his opposite number on the rival team.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- Before the meeting, I emailed the questions to my opposite number in the Berlin office.
- The success of the joint venture depends on constant communication between opposite numbers in logistics.
- The minister's dovish remarks were swiftly countered by her hawkish opposite number in the opposition shadow cabinet.
- A certain professional camaraderide had developed between the two negotiators, each respecting the mandate and constraints of his opposite number.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a football match: the left-back's direct opponent, the other team's right-winger, is his 'opposite number' – same role, opposite side.
Conceptual Metaphor
ORGANIZATIONS ARE MIRRORED STRUCTURES / ROLES ARE NUMBERS ON A JERSEY
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'противоположный номер'. The correct equivalent is 'коллега на той же должности', 'контрагент', or simply 'коллега' in context.
- The phrase describes a person, not a thing.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for inanimate objects (e.g., 'the opposite number of this document').
- Using it without a clear implied 'other side' (e.g., 'my opposite number in my own company' is illogical).
Practice
Quiz
In which context is the use of 'opposite number' LEAST appropriate?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is exclusively used for people holding equivalent positions or roles.
No, the standard construction uses a possessive: 'my opposite number', 'John's opposite number'.
They are often synonyms. 'Counterpart' can be slightly broader and used for things (e.g., a document's counterpart). 'Opposite number' is exclusively for people and emphasizes the 'other side' of a pairing.
It is standard in professional and news contexts. It can be used informally, especially in British English where it may humorously mean 'spouse'.
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