antonym: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic
Quick answer
What does “antonym” mean?
A word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
A lexical item, phrase, or concept that expresses a directly contrasting or reversed relationship to another. Also used in semantic analysis to describe opposing relationships beyond simple word pairs (e.g., gradable antonyms like hot/cold).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral, technical term in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally common in academic and educational contexts in both regions.
Grammar
How to Use “antonym” in a Sentence
antonym of [word]antonym for [word][word] and its antonymVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “antonym” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- The exercise asks pupils to antonymise the given adjectives.
- Can you think of a word to antonym 'generous'?
American English
- The worksheet has students antonym the listed terms.
- The game involves antonyming the prompt word.
adverb
British English
- The terms are used antonymously in that context.
- He interpreted the data almost antonymically to his colleague.
American English
- The words function antonymously in the sentence.
- Their conclusions were drawn antonymically.
adjective
British English
- 'Hot' and 'cold' form an antonym pair.
- Their views were antonymic on every major issue.
American English
- The words have an antonym relationship.
- The two concepts are antonymous.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare, except in training materials about clear communication (e.g., 'Avoid using antonyms in the same proposal, as it creates confusion').
Academic
Common in linguistics, semantics, language teaching, and vocabulary studies.
Everyday
Used in educational contexts (homework, puzzles, language learning) but less frequent in casual conversation.
Technical
Core term in lexical semantics for describing sense relations.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “antonym”
- Using 'antonym' to mean 'synonym'.
- Asking for 'the antonym' when multiple opposites may exist (e.g., 'rich' has antonyms 'poor' and 'impoverished').
- Misspelling as 'antonymn'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Many words (especially nouns like 'chair' or 'oxygen') do not have a direct, conventional opposite.
In everyday language, they are often used interchangeably. However, 'antonym' is a more precise lexical term used in linguistics, while 'opposite' can refer to a wider range of contrary concepts, not just words.
Yes. For example, the antonym of 'happy' could be 'sad', 'unhappy', or 'miserable', depending on context and the type of opposition.
Yes, in a metalinguistic sense. They describe opposite lexical relationships.
A word that has the opposite meaning of another word.
Antonym is usually formal, academic in register.
Antonym: in British English it is pronounced /ˈæntənɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈæntənɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “They are antonyms in every sense.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'ANTI-name' – a name (word) that is against or opposite another.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS CONTRARY DIRECTION (e.g., 'They are at opposite ends of the spectrum').
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following best describes the relationship between 'ascend' and 'descend'?