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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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:
"There's no animosity towards America here," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
The dark realities of religious animosity, including depictions of grossly antisemitic images all too common from this era, are also examined.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 14, 2026
After all the animosity and acrimony that followed the end of Kevin Pietersen's playing career at the very highest level, he is back with the Three Lions on his chest.
From BBC ● Sep. 7, 2026
Rather than fuel the animosity, the Friends made Saturday more of an awakening than a protest.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 19, 2026
“It’s a peace offering. You know, for before,” I said, flapping a hand that I hoped encompassed twelve years of general rudeness and animosity.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
But having the camera follow Romeo in pursuit of Tybalt—whose animosities, without Shakespeare’s Capulet vs.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 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 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.
