animosity
Americannoun
-
animosities
plural
noun
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of animosity
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English animosite, from Middle French, from Late Latin animōsitāt-, stem of animōsitās “ardor, boldness, wrath,” from Latin animōs(us) “spirited” (from anim(us) animus + -ōsus -ose 1 ) + -itās -ity
Explanation
Animosity is a strong feeling similar to hatred. If your (supposed) best buddy embarrasses you in front of a big crowd, your friendship could turn into animosity. Animosity comes from the Latin word animus, meaning "spirit" or "mind." That's also the root of the word animated — literally, "full of spirit." So how did animosity get so negative? Over the centuries, the original meaning of "high spirits" soured into "hatred." Today we most often speak of animosity toward, between, among, or against people. Keeping your animosity in check might make steam come out your ears.
Vocabulary lists containing animosity
100 SAT Words Beginning with "A"
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Speak Your Mind: Anim
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Born a Crime
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
"I'm 46, man," he says, asked whether animosity remains.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 2026
We may have some animosity, we may have some mistrust, but we recognize the way we’ve done business with the United States for the last 47 years is a mistake.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 26, 2026
Beattie denied there was "animosity" between MLAs and Burrows but he described issues over some policies being "changed radically on the hoof".
From BBC ● Aug. 20, 2026
Rather than fuel the animosity, the Friends made Saturday more of an awakening than a protest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
The school board checked into the allegations and found no merit in them, but the investigation did little to lessen the air of suspicion, and animosity, between the two schools.
From "Friday Night Lights: A Town, A Team, And A Dream" by H.G. Bissinger
“The burdens of war and occupation had created a dense web of resentments and suspicions, of grudges and animosities, that did not simply fade away when the fighting ended.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Indonesia said the forum should be a place for cooperation and not for the sharpening of animosities.
From Reuters ● Sep. 7, 2023
The talks saw Japan and South Korea put aside their historical animosities to forge a defense pact with the United States aimed at deterring Chinese and North Korean aggression.
From New York Times ● Aug. 19, 2023
The United States and South Korea dismissed the North’s accusations and urged it to refrain from any acts or rhetoric that raises animosities.
From Seattle Times ● Jul. 11, 2023
These tensions and animosities would brew and simmer for many decades, and eventually they would result in urban unrest on a grand scale in the twentieth century.
From "The Great Fire" by Jim Murphy
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
