The Complete Vocabulary Builder Workbook

antonym

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Dictionary definition of antonym

A word that has an opposite or contrasting meaning to another word.
"The antonym of 'happy' is 'sad,' representing contrasting emotions."

Detailed meaning of antonym

The noun "antonym" refers to Antonyms are pairs of words that are often used to convey opposing ideas, concepts, or qualities. They provide a valuable tool in language and communication, allowing speakers and writers to express nuance and contrast in their expressions. For example, "hot" is an antonym of "cold," "happy" is an antonym of "sad," and "begin" is an antonym of "end." Antonyms are essential for conveying distinctions and shades of meaning in language and are commonly used in literature, everyday conversation, and various forms of writing to provide context and depth to communication. Understanding antonyms enhances a person's vocabulary and their ability to express themselves effectively by selecting the most appropriate words for a given situation.

Example sentences containing antonym

1. "Hot" and "cold" are antonyms, representing opposite temperature extremes.
2. The thesaurus provides a list of antonyms to help expand one's vocabulary.
3. "Day" and "night" are antonyms that describe opposite periods of time.
4. The game challenges players to match words with their antonyms.
5. The teacher asked the students to identify antonyms for the given words.
6. The antonym pair of "big" and "small" illustrates opposing sizes.

History and etymology of antonym

The noun 'antonym' is formed from two Greek roots: 'anti,' meaning 'opposite,' and 'onuma,' meaning 'name' or 'word.' This etymological combination elegantly captures the essence of 'antonym' as it refers to a word that has an opposite or contrasting meaning to another word. The term 'antonym' is a testament to the precision of language, where the very word used to describe such contrasting pairs of words embodies the concept of opposition through its Greek origins.

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Further usage examples of antonym

1. The antonym for "fast" is "slow," conveying opposite rates of speed.
2. The puzzle requires finding the correct antonym for each word in the grid.
3. "Open" and "closed" are antonyms that describe opposite states of accessibility.
4. The child learned new antonyms in school, expanding their understanding of word relationships.
5. The writer used antonyms to create a contrast in the poem's imagery.
6. "Love" and "hate" are antonyms, representing opposing emotions.
7. "Fast" and "slow" are classic antonyms in the realm of speed.
8. Finding the right antonym can help clarify the intended meaning.
9. The teacher asked the students to identify antonyms in the text.
10. Understanding antonyms is crucial for expanding one's vocabulary.
11. "Bravery" is the antonym of "cowardice" in this context.
12. The game challenges players to match synonyms and antonyms.
13. The antonym of "joy" would be "sorrow" in this context.
14. Antonyms add depth and nuance to language and communication.
15. Identifying antonyms can be a helpful reading comprehension skill.
16. In the thesaurus, you'll find lists of synonyms and antonyms.
17. "Small" and "large" are often used as antonyms for size.
18. The professor explained the concept of antonyms in linguistics.
19. Practicing with antonyms improves language proficiency.
20. She struggled to find the right antonym for her argument.
21. "Alive" and "lifeless" are antonyms that convey stark differences.
22. The game encourages players to guess the antonym of a given word.
23. A thesaurus is a valuable resource for discovering antonyms.
24. The antonym of "forward" would be "backward" in this case.
25. Learning antonyms can enrich your command of the English language.