Explanation at your level:
Animosity means you do not like someone. You are angry at them. If you have animosity, you do not want to be their friend. It is a very strong feeling of dislike. You feel it for a long time. It is not a happy feeling.
Animosity is a strong, bad feeling toward a person. It is like being enemies. If two people have animosity, they might argue a lot. It is more than just being annoyed; it is a serious dislike that stays for a long time. People use this word when they are talking about big problems between people or groups.
When you feel animosity, you have a deep, lasting dislike for someone. It is a formal word. You might see it in news reports about countries that are fighting or in stories about people who have a long history of problems. It is not a casual word; you wouldn't use it with friends to talk about a minor disagreement. It implies that the relationship is damaged.
Animosity describes a state of hostility. It is often used to explain why people cannot get along. For instance, 'The animosity between the two rivals was obvious to everyone.' It is a noun that describes the emotion itself. When you observe animosity, you see tension, coldness, or direct conflict. It is a useful word for describing complex social or political situations where people have been at odds for a long time.
In advanced English, animosity is used to describe the underlying tension in relationships. It suggests an active, simmering resentment. Unlike 'hatred,' which is purely emotional, 'animosity' often implies a behavioral component—you might see it manifested in passive-aggressive comments or deliberate avoidance. It is frequently paired with verbs like 'harbor,' 'foster,' or 'dissipate.' Understanding this word helps you describe the nuance of human conflict in professional or literary writing.
Animosity is a nuanced term denoting a persistent, often visceral, state of enmity. Etymologically rooted in the concept of 'spirit' or 'vital force,' it has evolved to signify the negative manifestation of that force. In C2-level discourse, we use it to analyze power dynamics, historical grievances, and deep-seated societal divisions. It is distinct from 'antipathy,' which can be a more passive or instinctive aversion; 'animosity' suggests a more active, perhaps even aggressive, stance. When discussing international relations or complex character motivations in literature, 'animosity' captures the weight of the conflict better than simpler synonyms.
30초 단어
- Animosity is a strong, lasting dislike.
- It is an uncountable, formal noun.
- Commonly paired with 'harbor' or 'deep-seated'.
- Use it to describe serious conflicts.
Hey there! Let's talk about animosity. Imagine you have a neighbor who plays loud music every night, and even after you ask them to stop, they keep doing it. Over time, you start to feel a really strong, bitter dislike toward them. That feeling is animosity.
It is not just a quick 'I'm annoyed' feeling. It is deeper. It is a hostile attitude that stays with you. When you feel animosity, it usually means there is some history or a specific reason for the bad blood between you and someone else. It is a serious word that carries a lot of weight in conversation.
The word animosity has a cool history! It comes from the Latin word animositas, which originally meant 'spirit' or 'courage.' Back then, it wasn't necessarily a bad thing—it could mean having a lot of 'spirit' or 'passion.'
Over time, the meaning shifted. By the time it entered English in the 15th century, it started to lean toward 'spiritedness in a fight' or 'hostility.' It evolved from simply having a strong 'soul' or 'mind' (the Latin animus) to having a strong, negative reaction toward someone else. It is fascinating how a word for 'courage' became a word for 'grudge'!
You will mostly hear animosity in formal or serious contexts. People use it when talking about political conflicts, sports rivalries, or serious personal arguments. You wouldn't say, 'I have animosity toward my sandwich'—that would be silly!
Commonly, we say someone harbors animosity, or there is deep-seated animosity between two groups. It is a 'high-register' word, meaning it sounds more professional or literary than just saying 'I hate them.' Use it when you want to describe a complex, lasting conflict.
While 'animosity' itself isn't usually in an idiom, it is closely related to these expressions:
- Bad blood: A history of animosity. 'There has been bad blood between them for years.'
- Bury the hatchet: To end animosity. 'They finally decided to bury the hatchet.'
- At loggerheads: Being in a state of strong disagreement. 'The two parties are at loggerheads.'
- Hold a grudge: To keep feeling animosity. 'He still holds a grudge about that old argument.'
- Cross swords: To enter into a conflict. 'They often cross swords in meetings.'
Animosity is a non-count noun. You don't usually say 'an animosity' or 'animosities' in everyday speech. It is almost always used as a singular, abstract concept.
Pronunciation-wise, it is an-ih-MOSS-ih-tee. The stress is on the second syllable. It rhymes with 'curiosity' or 'generosity.' Remember to keep the 's' sound soft, like in 'hiss,' rather than a 'z' sound.
Fun Fact
It once meant 'courage' before shifting to 'hostility'!
Pronunciation Guide
Sounds like 'an-ih-MOSS-ih-tee'
Sounds like 'an-uh-MAH-suh-tee'
Common Errors
- stressing the first syllable
- pronouncing the 's' as 'z'
- skipping the 'i' sound
Rhymes With
Difficulty Rating
Moderate
Advanced
Moderate
Moderate
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
고급
Grammar to Know
Uncountable Nouns
Animosity is uncountable.
Prepositions of Relationship
Animosity between/toward.
Adjective-Noun Collocations
Deep-seated animosity.
Examples by Level
There is animosity between them.
They do not like each other.
Use 'between' for two people.
He felt animosity.
He felt bad feelings.
Simple subject-verb-object.
No animosity here.
We are friends.
Informal usage.
Stop the animosity.
Stop being mean.
Imperative.
The animosity is gone.
They are friends now.
Past state.
Why the animosity?
Why are you angry?
Question form.
He showed animosity.
He acted mean.
Past tense verb.
Avoid animosity.
Be nice.
Advice.
The animosity between the two teams was clear.
She could not hide her animosity.
They ended their animosity.
He felt no animosity toward his former boss.
The animosity grew over time.
There is a lot of animosity in the room.
Political animosity is common.
He tried to reduce the animosity.
The long-standing animosity finally came to an end.
Despite their past animosity, they worked together.
He harbored deep animosity toward his rival.
The animosity was palpable during the meeting.
We should try to move past this animosity.
Her tone was full of hidden animosity.
The animosity between the neighbors was well known.
They managed to resolve their animosity.
The political animosity has divided the country.
There is a deep-seated animosity between the two factions.
He was surprised by the level of animosity shown.
The animosity between the siblings was heartbreaking.
She refused to let the animosity affect her work.
The history of animosity makes peace difficult.
They tried to bridge the gap of animosity.
The animosity faded as they grew older.
The underlying animosity between the two authors was evident in their reviews.
He felt a surge of animosity as his opponent spoke.
The lingering animosity prevented any meaningful dialogue.
Their relationship was defined by a quiet, persistent animosity.
The animosity was masked by polite conversation.
He had to overcome his internal animosity to succeed.
The animosity of the crowd was intimidating.
They navigated the situation despite the mutual animosity.
The historical animosity between the two nations is deeply rooted in their past.
The animosity was so profound that it became a defining feature of their culture.
She was weary of the constant animosity that permeated the office.
The animosity manifested in subtle, passive-aggressive gestures.
He was capable of setting aside his animosity for the greater good.
The animosity was a byproduct of years of systemic injustice.
There was a palpable sense of animosity in the courtroom.
The animosity between the characters drives the plot of the novel.
동의어
반의어
자주 쓰는 조합
Idioms & Expressions
"bad blood"
a history of animosity
There has been bad blood between them for years.
casual"bury the hatchet"
to end animosity
It is time to bury the hatchet.
neutral"at daggers drawn"
ready to fight
They are at daggers drawn over the new policy.
literary"on the warpath"
looking for a fight
He is on the warpath today.
casual"no love lost"
mutual dislike
There is no love lost between those two.
neutral"cross swords"
to argue
They often cross swords in meetings.
neutralEasily Confused
Both mean dislike
Antipathy is more of an instinct.
I have an antipathy to snakes.
Both are formal
Enmity is deeper/more historical.
There is deep enmity between them.
Both describe conflict
Hostility can be physical action.
The hostility was violent.
Both are negative
Resentment is about past wrongs.
He felt resentment for the insult.
Sentence Patterns
The animosity between [Group A] and [Group B]...
The animosity between the two teams was clear.
He/She harbored animosity toward [Person]...
He harbored animosity toward his rival.
There was a sense of animosity...
There was a sense of animosity in the room.
The animosity grew/faded over time.
The animosity grew over time.
Despite the animosity, they [Action]...
Despite the animosity, they worked together.
어휘 가족
Nouns
Adjectives
관련
How to Use It
6
Formality Scale
자주 하는 실수
It is non-count; don't say 'an animosity'.
They sound similar but mean different things.
Animosity is too strong for small things.
It ends in -ity, not -ety.
Animosity is a noun, not a verb.
Tips
Memory Palace Trick
Think of a 'city' full of 'animals' fighting.
When Native Speakers Use It
In news or formal debates.
Cultural Insight
Often used in political contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'the' or 'his/her' before it.
Say It Right
Focus on the MOSS syllable.
Don't Make This Mistake
Don't make it plural.
Did You Know?
It used to mean courage!
Study Smart
Pair it with 'harbor'.
Register Check
Use 'dislike' instead for casual talk.
Preposition Tip
Always use 'between' or 'toward'.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Animosity = Animal + City. Imagine animals in a city fighting!
Visual Association
A wall between two people.
Word Web
챌린지
Write one sentence about a fictional rivalry.
어원
Latin
Original meaning: spiritedness or courage
문화적 맥락
It is a serious word; avoid using it lightly.
Used in formal reporting and serious personal conflicts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
at work
- tension in the office
- unresolved animosity
- professional conflict
politics
- partisan animosity
- political divide
- hostile debate
sports
- bitter rivalry
- long-standing animosity
- intense competition
literature
- character conflict
- underlying resentment
- dramatic tension
Conversation Starters
"Have you ever felt animosity toward a rival?"
"How can people overcome animosity?"
"Why do you think animosity starts between groups?"
"Is it possible to be friends after a period of animosity?"
"What is the best way to resolve animosity?"
Journal Prompts
Write about a time you felt animosity.
Describe a character in a book who felt animosity.
How does animosity affect a community?
What are the signs of animosity in a conversation?
자주 묻는 질문
8 질문No, it is a noun.
No, it is uncountable.
It is similar, but more formal.
An-ih-MOSS-ih-tee.
In serious contexts.
It often leads to fighting.
It is common in formal writing.
No, it is always negative.
셀프 테스트
There is a lot of ___ between them.
Animosity is a feeling of dislike.
Which is a synonym for animosity?
Hostility means the same thing.
Animosity is a positive feeling.
It is a negative feeling.
Word
뜻
Matching meanings.
The animosity between them was clear.
He ___ animosity toward his rival.
You harbor a feeling.
Which word best fits: 'The ___ between the two groups was palpable.'
Animosity fits the context of tension.
Animosity is a count noun.
It is uncountable.
Word
뜻
Advanced synonyms.
The deep-seated animosity divided them.
점수: /10
Summary
Animosity is a deep, persistent feeling of hostility that goes beyond simple annoyance.
- Animosity is a strong, lasting dislike.
- It is an uncountable, formal noun.
- Commonly paired with 'harbor' or 'deep-seated'.
- Use it to describe serious conflicts.
Memory Palace Trick
Think of a 'city' full of 'animals' fighting.
When Native Speakers Use It
In news or formal debates.
Cultural Insight
Often used in political contexts.
Grammar Shortcut
Always use 'the' or 'his/her' before it.
예시
There was a lot of animosity between the two neighbors over the shared driveway.
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Emotions 관련 단어
abanimfy
C1A collective psychological state characterized by a profound loss of vitality, spirit, or motivation within a specific group or community. It describes the stagnation that occurs when a social structure or organization loses its shared sense of purpose and creative energy.
abanimize
C1객관적인 완전성을 달성하기 위해 상황에서 감정적 강도를 제거하는 과정을 의미합니다.
abhor
C1어떤 것에 대해 깊은 혐오감이나 증오를 느끼는 것을 말해. 도덕적으로 도저히 받아들일 수 없는 강한 거부감을 표현할 때 써.
abminity
C1To regard something with intense loathing or extreme disgust; to treat an object or idea as an abomination. It is used in high-level contexts to describe a profound moral or aesthetic aversion toward an action or concept.
abmotine
C1Describes a state of being emotionally detached or lacking intrinsic motivation, often characterized by a cold, clinical, or indifferent stance. It is used to denote a specific lack of movement or response to external emotional stimuli.
abominable
C1Causing a feeling of hatred or disgust; very unpleasant or disagreeable. It often describes something morally repulsive or extremely bad in quality.
abphilous
C1To consciously withdraw or distance oneself from a previous affinity, attraction, or emotional attachment. It involves a systematic effort to break a psychological bond in order to achieve a state of neutrality or objectivity.
absedhood
C1'absedhood'는 주변 환경이나 사회적 책임으로부터 깊이 분리되거나 감정적으로 위축된 상태를 묘사합니다. 종종 스스로 선택한 강렬한 고립 상태입니다.
abvidness
C1The quality or state of being intensely eager, enthusiastic, or consumed by a particular interest or desire. It represents a level of dedication and spirited engagement that often goes beyond standard enthusiasm, typical of scholars, collectors, or hobbyists.
adacrty
C1Alacrity refers to a cheerful readiness, promptness, or willingness to do something. It describes not only the speed of an action but also the positive and enthusiastic attitude of the person performing it.
