enemy
B1Neutral to formal. Common in political, military, journalistic, literary, and everyday contexts.
Definition
Meaning
A person or group that is actively opposed, hostile, or harmful to another.
A thing that is harmful or damaging; a hostile force or nation; in philosophical contexts, that which opposes a positive principle or state.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
While primarily a noun, can be used attributively as an adjective (e.g., 'enemy territory'). The word implies active, conscious opposition or animosity. Does not typically apply to impersonal, non-sentient forces unless personified (e.g., 'The sea is my enemy.').
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical or grammatical differences. Usage frequency in military/political contexts is comparable.
Connotations
Similar connotations of hostility and threat. In UK political discourse, may sometimes carry a slightly more formal, parliamentary tone (e.g., 'the Honourable Gentleman is no enemy of this House').
Frequency
Equally high frequency in both varieties.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
enemy of [something/someone]enemy to [something/someone][be/become] enemies withVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Public enemy number one”
- “My own worst enemy”
- “Better the devil you know (than the enemy you don't)”
- “The enemy at the gate”
- “Sleep with the enemy”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used metaphorically for a market competitor or opposing force (e.g., 'Inflation is the enemy of long-term investment.').
Academic
Used in political science, history, and international relations to denote opposing states or ideologies.
Everyday
Common for personal conflicts, sports rivals, or metaphorical obstacles (e.g., 'Procrastination is my biggest enemy.').
Technical
In military science, refers to hostile combatants; in cybersecurity, refers to a threat actor.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The act does little but enemy the very people it aims to help.
- He was accused of endeavouring to enemy his former allies.
American English
- The policy seemed designed to enemy potential partners.
- Such rhetoric only serves to enemy neutral observers.
adjective
British English
- The squadron entered enemy airspace.
- They were taken as an enemy prisoner of war.
American English
- The troops advanced into enemy territory.
- He was captured and held in an enemy camp.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The hero fought the enemy.
- My brother and I are not enemies.
- Laziness is the enemy of success.
- The two countries were enemies for many years.
- She didn't want to make an enemy of her new boss.
- After the argument, they became enemies.
- The government warned of an enemy attack on the border.
- He considered bureaucracy the greatest enemy of progress.
- They had a common enemy, which temporarily united them.
- The charismatic leader succeeded in personifying the complex economic threat as a tangible enemy.
- His treatise argues that complacency, not external forces, is the true enemy of democracy.
- The spy managed to embed himself deep within enemy infrastructure.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'ENEMY = ENergy ME Yammering' – someone who uses their energy to yammer (argue/fight) against you.
Conceptual Metaphor
OPPOSITION IS WAR ('battle against ignorance'); AN OBSTACLE IS AN ADVERSARY ('time is the enemy'); HARM IS AN AGENT ('the enemy within').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'неприятель' which is slightly archaic/formal. 'Enemy' is directly 'враг'. 'Противник' is better translated as 'opponent' or 'adversary' in non-hostile contexts (e.g., sports).
- Avoid overusing 'enemy' for mild disagreements; it implies strong hostility.
Common Mistakes
- Incorrect: 'He is enemy to me.' Correct: 'He is an enemy to me' or 'He is my enemy.'
- Incorrect plural with possessive: 'enemy's territory' (singular) vs. 'enemies' territory' (plural).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is the LEAST likely meaning of 'enemy' in modern English?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is commonly used metaphorically. Examples: 'Pollution is the enemy of clean air.' 'His own pride was his worst enemy.'
'Foe' is more formal, literary, or archaic. 'Enemy' is the standard, all-purpose term. 'Foe' is often found in poetry, formal declarations, or fixed phrases (e.g., 'friend or foe').
No. The correct forms are 'we are enemies' (plural predicate noun) or 'he is my enemy' / 'he is an enemy' (with an article or possessive).
It has three syllables: EN-uh-mee. The stress is on the first syllable. The pronunciation is virtually identical in both British and American English.