enemy
[ en-uh-mee ]
/ ˈɛn ə mi /
noun, plural en·e·mies.
adjective
belonging to a hostile power or to any of its nationals: enemy property.
Obsolete. inimical; ill-disposed.
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Origin of enemy
SYNONYMS FOR enemy
1 antagonist. Enemy, foe refer to a dangerous public or personal adversary. Enemy emphasizes the idea of hostility: to overcome the enemy; a bitter enemy. Foe, a more literary word, may be used interchangeably with enemy, but emphasizes somewhat more the danger to be feared from such a one: deadly foe; arch foe of humankind ( the Devil ).
usage note for enemy
See collective noun.
OTHER WORDS FROM enemy
non·en·e·my, noun, plural non·en·e·mies.Words nearby enemy
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020
Example sentences from the Web for enemy
British Dictionary definitions for enemy
enemy
/ (ˈɛnəmɪ) /
noun plural -mies
a person hostile or opposed to a policy, cause, person, or group, esp one who actively tries to do damage; opponent
- an armed adversary; opposing military force
- (as modifier)enemy aircraft
- a hostile nation or people
- (as modifier)an enemy alien
something that harms or opposes; adversarycourage is the enemy of failure
Other words from enemy
Related adjective: inimicalWord Origin for enemy
C13: from Old French enemi, from Latin inimīcus hostile, from in- 1 + amīcus friend
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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