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 hold no personal animosity toward anyone at Netflix,” Afram wrote in his response to the Journal.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 22, 2026
"There's no animosity towards America here," he said.
From Barron's ● Oct. 15, 2026
"I'm 46, man," he says, asked whether animosity remains.
From BBC ● Sep. 25, 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
“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
“The burdens of war and occupation had created a dense web of resentments and suspicions, of grudges and animosities, that did not simply fade away when the fighting ended.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
But rising animosities over the North’s first military spy satellite launch in November has left the military agreement in tatters, with both Koreas taking steps to breach the deal.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 6, 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.
