animosity
C1Formal
Definition
Meaning
A feeling of strong dislike, ill will, or hatred, often leading to opposition or hostility.
Deep-seated, often mutual, antagonism that persists over time, typically arising from a history of conflict or disagreement.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Implies active, enduring hostility, stronger than simple 'dislike'. Often used in contexts of groups, politics, or long-standing disputes.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage.
Connotations
Conveys a sense of bitterness and deep-seated resentment in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in formal written contexts (e.g., news, academic writing) in both BrE and AmE.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
animosity between [Noun Phrase 1] and [Noun Phrase 2]animosity toward(s)/toward(s) [Noun Phrase]animosity over [Noun Phrase/ Gerund]animosity stemming from [Noun Phrase]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Bad blood (a close synonym for mutual animosity)”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
'The merger failed due to the deep animosity between the two company cultures.'
Academic
'The study examines the historical animosities that shaped the region's geopolitics.'
Everyday
'There's still a lot of animosity between them after that argument.'
Technical
Not typically used in highly technical fields; more common in social sciences, history, and political analysis.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The term is not used as a verb.
American English
- The term is not used as a verb.
adverb
British English
- The term is not used as an adverb.
American English
- The term is not used as an adverb.
adjective
British English
- The term is not used as an adjective. The related adjective is 'animose', which is archaic.
American English
- The term is not used as an adjective. The related adjective is 'animose', which is archaic.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- There is animosity between the two football teams.
- He felt animosity towards his new boss.
- The political debate was filled with obvious animosity.
- Years of competition have created a deep animosity between the two companies.
- The animosity stemming from the territorial dispute shows no sign of abating.
- Her memoir revealed the personal animosities that plagued the administration's inner circle.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'ANIMal hostility' — imagine two animals snarling at each other with deep, active hatred.
Conceptual Metaphor
ANIMOSITY IS A FIRE/LIQUID (e.g., 'smoldering animosity', 'animosity boiled over')
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Not a direct equivalent of 'анимация' (which means 'animation').
- Do not confuse with 'active hostility'—'animosity' is the feeling itself, not the action.
- The Russian 'вражда' or 'неприязнь' are closer, but 'animosity' often implies a more active, bitter quality.
Common Mistakes
- Using it for mild annoyance (e.g., 'I feel animosity when it rains' is too strong).
- Incorrect prepositions (e.g., 'animosity against' is less common than 'animosity toward(s)' or 'between').
- Pronouncing it as /ˈæn.ɪ.mɒs.ɪ.ti/ (stressing the first syllable) is incorrect.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes 'animosity'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
'Animosity' often implies a hostile attitude that is active and can be mutual, typically between groups or individuals in conflict. 'Hatred' is a more general and often more intense feeling of extreme dislike, which can be more personal and internal.
It is possible but less common. 'Animosity' typically describes a deep-seated, enduring hostility rather than a fleeting argument or momentary anger.
It is generally used as an uncountable noun (e.g., 'There was animosity in the room'). However, it can be used in a countable way, though rare, to refer to specific instances or types (e.g., 'old animosities').
The most common pattern is 'animosity between A and B' (e.g., 'animosity between rivals') or 'animosity toward(s) someone/something'.