What does "apposition" mean?
A construction in which one noun or noun phrase is placed with another as an explanatory equivalent, both of them having the same syntactic function in the sentence.
Apposition
/ˌæpəˈzɪʃn̩/ noun
noun ·Uncommon ·Advanced level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A construction in which one noun or noun phrase is placed with another as an explanatory equivalent, both of them having the same syntactic function in the sentence.
- Grammar: apposition is listed as noun.
- Nearest alternatives: appositive construction, collocation, conjugation, conjunction.
- Useful contrasts: opposition.
- Usage evidence: The apposition in the title has been read as indicating that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is equivalent to ‘colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases’.
How to use "apposition"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "apposition" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "apposition" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "apposition" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "apposition" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "apposition" is acting as noun in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "appositive construction" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "apposition", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A construction in which one noun or noun phrase is placed with another as an explanatory equivalent, both of them having the same syntactic function in the sentence. countable, uncountable
"The apposition in the title has been read as indicating that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is equivalent to ‘colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases’."
- 2 the act of positioning close together (or side by side) wordnet
- 3 The relationship between such nouns or noun phrases. countable, uncountable
- 4 (biology) growth in the thickness of a cell wall by the deposit of successive layers of material wordnet
- 5 The quality of being side by side, apposed instead of opposed, next to each other. countable, uncountable
Show 6 more definitions
- 6 a grammatical relation between a word and a noun phrase that follows wordnet
- 7 A placing of two things side by side, or the fitting together of two things. countable, uncountable
- 8 The growth of successive layers of a cell wall. countable, uncountable
- 9 Appositio, the addition of an element not syntactically required. countable, rhetoric, uncountable
- 10 A public disputation by scholars. countable, uncountable
- 11 A (now purely ceremonial) speech day at St Paul's School, London. UK, countable, uncountable
Synonyms
All synonymsAntonyms
Example
"The apposition in the title has been read as indicating that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is equivalent to ‘colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases’."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "apposition"?
Common synonyms include: appositive construction, collocation, conjugation, conjunction, connection, consistency.
How do you use "apposition" in a sentence?
The apposition in the title has been read as indicating that ‘Hobson-Jobson’ is equivalent to ‘colloquial Anglo-Indian words and phrases’.
How do you pronounce "apposition"?
Pronounced /ˌæpəˈzɪʃn̩/.
Etymology
From Middle English apposicioun, from Middle French apposition, from Latin appositiō, past participle of appōnere (“to put near”).