[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/opposable/)

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# opposable

adjective

«opposable» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

Able to be placed opposite and pressed against the other fingers, like a human thumb, so that the hand can grip and pick things up. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#m1)

### In the lessons

A science word in lessons on humans, apes and adaptations: «opposable thumbs» let humans, apes and many monkeys hold tools, write and climb. Some animals, like koalas and opossums, have opposable digits on their feet or hands.

### Examples

- Humans have opposable thumbs, so we can hold a pencil. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x1)
- Try picking up a coin without using your opposable thumb. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x2)
- Chimpanzees have opposable thumbs and big toes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x3)
- Opposable thumbs helped early humans to make tools. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x4)
- Koalas have two opposable digits for gripping branches. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x5)
- Pandas have a special bone that works like an opposable thumb. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/#x6)

### Note

Adjective, used almost always in «opposable thumb(s)». From «oppose» (to place against). Nothing to do with being against someone.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «opposable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/O/opposable/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«opposable» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/opposable.html) on Mova free.