antipode

noun

an·​ti·​pode ˈan-tə-ˌpōd 

plural antipodes an-ˈti-pə-ˌdēz 

1

: the parts of the earth diametrically opposite

—usually used in plural

—often used of Australia and New Zealand as contrasted to the western hemisphere

2

: the exact opposite or contrary

antipodean

(ˌ)an-ˌti-pə-ˈdē-ən 

adjective or noun

Did you know?

We borrowed the word antipode over 600 years ago. It first appeared in a translation of a Latin text as a word designating "men that have their feet against our feet," that is, inhabitants of the opposite side of the globe. The word, which originated in Greek, combines anti-, meaning "opposite," with the root pod-, meaning "foot." "Antipode" is no longer used in English as a designation for people, but the notion of the other side of the globe lives on in its current geographical sense. We have come to use the plural term "antipodes" (pronounced \an-TIH-puh-deez) to refer to Australia and New Zealand because they are on the other side of the earth from Britain.

Synonyms of antipode

• opposite

Examples of antipode in a Sentence

our little pug is an antipode to our other dog, a mastiff

Recent Examples on the Web

But if Judd’s literalism and Caro’s illusionism represent the extreme and irreconcilable ends of the artistic spectrum during the ’60s and ’70s, Bove’s work integrates and combines these apparent artistic antipodes with a contemporary twist. —Gordon Hughes, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

At the antipode is Heti, who tries to make peace with the fact that our purchases inevitably disappoint us. —Lillian Fishman, New Yorker, 25 Feb. 2026

The ill-fitting, garish T-top became a regular production option in 1977, proof that bad taste—like its antipode—is timeless. —Robert Ross, Robb Report, 27 June 2025

What was supposed to be permanent now appears temporary, with a move back to the antipodes all but certain at some point. —Jack Barlow, Christian Science Monitor, 18 June 2025

That’s the antipode, or opposite point on Earth’s surface, from my town. —Andrew Gase, Discover Magazine, 30 Nov. 2024

These are the two largest American cities, antipodes in style and topography. —Nicholas Dawidoff, The New Yorker, 3 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English antipodes, plural, persons dwelling at opposite points on the globe, from Latin, from Greek, from plural of antipod-, antipous with feet opposite, from anti- + pod-, pous foot — more at foot

First Known Use

1550, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for antipode

• insipid
• antiphospholipid

Kids Definition

antipode

noun

an·​ti·​pode ˈant-ə-ˌpōd 

plural antipodes an-ˈtip-ə-ˌdēz 

1

: the parts of the earth opposite each other at a distance of the earth's diameter

—usually used in plural

2

: the exact opposite

antipodal

an-ˈtip-əd-ᵊl

adjective

antipodean

(ˌ)an-tip-ə-ˈdē-ən 

adjective

Medical Definition

antipode

noun

an·​ti·​pode ˈant-ə-ˌpōd 

plural antipodes an-ˈtip-ə-ˌdēz 

1

: the exact opposite

2

: enantiomer