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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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:
"There's no animosity towards America here," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
The animosity that had built up was evident from the start.
From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 20, 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
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
It might have been meant as a joke, but the golden godson’s animosity was palpable.
From "Strange the Dreamer" by Laini Taylor
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
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
King’s border crossing came amid heightened animosities on the Korean Peninsula.
From Washington Times ● Aug. 15, 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
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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.
