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
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Speak Your Mind: Anim
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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:
“I had no animosity or political agenda…and I am always fair. I don’t think many people can say the same about Kim and Jackie.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 23, 2026
"There's no animosity towards America here," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
As their fame grew, so did the brothers' animosity, until the party came to an abrupt halt backstage at a gig in Paris in 2009.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
The animosity dates back to the board’s decision last year to purchase 20 acres where they hope to eventually build a new fire station and civic hub.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 3, 2026
There, I saw not only flare-ups of ethnic animosity, but the comity that was also possible among men of different backgrounds.
From "Long Walk to Freedom" by Nelson Mandela
The poise of the prose somehow heightens the tension of this superbly crafted story, a thriller that shows how the animosities of war live on beyond the fighting.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 26, 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
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Get a wordDefinitions 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.
