animosity
Americannoun
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"
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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.
See Examples For:
Some of that is animosity lingering right back to his years as leader.
From BBC ● Jun. 24, 2026
Much of the animosity is directed at Blanchard and McArthur.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 28, 2026
More than a million Muslims are gathering in Mecca for the hajj pilgrimage overshadowed by the Middle East war, as animosity smoulders across the region despite a fragile ceasefire.
From Barron's ● May 22, 2026
These were white women who had had a religious upbringing, and they knew that their views would be met with judgment or even animosity from family and neighbors.
From Slate ● May 4, 2026
Some of the newsroom boys returned Riddle’s animosity, but the fact that he owned some of the fastest and most noteworthy horses on earth led to a certain uneasy detente.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
In consequence, Messrs. Lender and Martin observe, white loyalists were prepared to override ingrained prejudices and animosities, fighting alongside Native Americans and escaped black slaves.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jan. 9, 2026
In 2018, Buddhist monks in North and South Korea held joint services when animosities between their governments eased.
From Seattle Times ● May 11, 2024
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
These two groups were obliged to work side by side in the war plants, and their animosities festered and opened like boils on the face of the city.
From "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" by Maya Angelou
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.
