animosity
Americannoun
plural
animositiesnoun
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"
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Speak Your Mind: Anim
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Born a Crime
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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.
Jon Cryer and Andrew McCarthy of the so-called Brat Pack discuss their years-long animosity during a reunion at the release of McCarthy’s ‘Brats’ documentary.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 25, 2026
Earlier, a former IRA bomber who gave evidence in the case denied he holds "personal animosity" towards the former Sinn Féin leader.
From BBC • Mar. 11, 2026
Most, I was surprised to learn, felt no animosity toward Mr. Cornyn, even if they said he had “been there too long.”
From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 27, 2026
It wasn’t until recent weeks that people began really vocalizing their animosity.
From Slate • Feb. 27, 2026
He had experienced the beginning of contempt, but now the childhood fear and respect and animosity came back to him, so that he seemed a little boy testing his father’s immediate mood to escape trouble.
From "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck
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.
