opposite v.s. on the opposite side of (2025)

Hi folks, I couldn't figure out the difference between "opposite and on the opposite side of". So I looked it up on Longman dictionary website. There is an example on the webpage which read "The store was on the opposite side of the street." Does it mean the store is facing another building on the different side of the street or the store is on the other end of the same street?

BTW, is it possible to attach pictures in my thread to make my question more understandable?

If building A is opposite building B, they are facing each other at the same level of the street. If you look out of building A, you see building B.

If building A is on the opposite side of the street to building B, building A is on the left of the street and building B is on the right of the street (or vice versa, depending on which way you are going) but they are not necessarily facing each other. One might be at the beginning of the street and the other at the end.

Malcolm 123 said:

"The store was on the opposite side of the street." Does it mean the store is facing another building on the different side of the street or the store is on the other end of the same street?

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It means "the store is facing another building on the other side of the street.

If you want it to mean "the store is on the other end of the same street" you would have to say "the store is

on the opposite side at the other end of the street, although I can't see how it is possible for a store to face another building if they are at opposite ends of the street.

PaulQ said:

It means "the store is facing another building on the other side of the street.

If you want it to mean "the store is on the other end of the same street" you would have to say "the store is

facing the other building

on the opposite side at the other end of the street, although I can't see how it is possible for a store to face another building if they are at opposite ends of the street.

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Hi Paul, thank you for your effort at explaining the meaning here.

I see. But if two buildings are at either end of the same street, we can't say they are on the opposite end/side, can't we? We should say "A is on one end of the street, and B is on the other end of the street." or "A is at the opposite end of the street" Is that correct? Sorry I didn't articulate my questions previously.

Aguas Claras said:

To me, "the store is on the opposite side of the street" just means it's on the other side without specifying whether it is directly opposite or not. Just somewhere on the other side.
e.g. "Store A is on the opposite side of the street from store B and nearer the roundabout".
Or:
"Yes, I know Mr. Smith. He lives on the opposite side of the street from me but further down the road".

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