Can a word mean its own opposite?
So in this sentence, if you also are visualizing boxes full of stuff, the word unpacked actually means packed. Or it means un -unpacked. Some people will say this is impossible. A word cannot mean its opposite. Well, it’s not impossible. In fact, we have instances in English of other words that mean their opposite.
How to spell opposite word?
eposoide. What are similar-sounding words for opposite? opposition. This graph shows how "opposite" have occurred between 1800 and 2008 in a corpus of English books. potpies. pipets. toosi. toso. pet.
How do you spell the word opposite?
noun. ['oʊˈmɪʃən'] something that has been omitted. noun. ['oʊˈmɪʃən'] any process whereby sounds or words are left out of spoken words or phrases. noun. ['oʊˈmɪʃən'] neglecting to do something; leaving out or passing over something.
What word means opposite?
Synonyms for opposite include conflicting, contrary, opposed, contradictory, contrasting, different, antithetical, differing, inconsistent and irreconcilable. Find ...
What words have two opposite meanings?
The term you're looking for is oxymoron, which comes from a Greek word whose literal translation is 'pointedly foolish'. An oxymoron is a figure of speech in which two apparently contradictory terms appear together.
What is the word for saying something but meaning the opposite?
AntiphrasisAntiphrasis is the rhetorical device of saying the opposite of what is actually meant in such a way that it is obvious what the true intention is. Some authors treat and use antiphrasis just as irony, euphemism or litotes.
What is an example of a Janus word?
Among the most commonly encountered Janus words are cleave, hew, and sanction. For example, one can be said to cleave a block of wood, meaning to split it, or to cleave to one's principles, meaning to cling to them. Hew is almost synonymous in both senses.
What is it called when a word has two different meanings?
polysemous Add to list Share. When a word or phrase has several meanings, you can describe that word as polysemous. One word that's famously polysemous is "bank." You can choose a pronunciation for this adjective with stress on the second or third syllable since most dictionaries give both.
What is another word for oxymoron?
What is another word for oxymoron?paradoxcontradictiondichotomyincongruityinconsistencyconflictanomalyoddityabsurdityconundrum50 more rows
What is meant by kangaroo words?
“A kangaroo word is a word that contains another word, in order, with the same or similar meaning.” –
What are Antagonyms?
a word with two opposite meanings. More familiar examples of antagonyms are cleave, which can mean either "cut apart" or "stick together"; and fast, as in "run fast" versus "hold fast." —
Is literally a contronym?
So, when a person says "I was literally dying of laughter," they are using the word "literally" to show that they are using exaggerated language. If you compare this use of "literally" with the first definition of "literally," you will notice that "literally" has become a contronym.
How does the adjective 'opposite' differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irr...
When is it sensible to use 'antithetical' instead of 'opposite'?
While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition. // a law tha...
Where would 'contradictory' be a reasonable alternative to 'opposite'?
The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so...
When is 'contrary' a more appropriate choice than 'opposite'?
The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition. // contrary assessme...
How does the adjective opposite differ from other similar words?
Some common synonyms of opposite are antithetical, contradictory, and contrary. While all these words mean "being so far apart as to be or seem irreconcilable," opposite applies to things in sharp contrast or in conflict.
When is it sensible to use antithetical instead of opposite?
While the synonyms antithetical and opposite are close in meaning, antithetical stresses clear and unequivocal diametrical opposition.
Where would contradictory be a reasonable alternative to opposite?
The words contradictory and opposite can be used in similar contexts, but contradictory applies to two things that completely negate each other so that if one is true or valid the other must be untrue or invalid.
When is contrary a more appropriate choice than opposite?
The meanings of contrary and opposite largely overlap; however, contrary implies extreme divergence or diametrical opposition.
What is a contronym?
Also called antagonyms, autoantonyms, or Janus words, contronyms are words with two definitions that contradict—or are the reverse of—each other. Put another way, “a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning),” according to Grammarly. ...
What does "overlook" mean in a contract?
Overlook can mean to monitor or supervise, but it can also mean to neglect or fail to notice. For example, a group of lawyers would not want to overlook an important detail when they overlook the proposed contract.
Is "resign" a contronym?
While “resign” is considered a contronym in writing, it doesn’t work if you say the word out loud. “Resign,” which means ‘to quit,’ is spelled the same as “resign,” which means ‘to sign up again.’ The only catch? The words have two different pronunciations.
What is the opposite of another word?
A word that has the exact opposite meaning of another word is its antonym. Life is full of antonyms, from the "stop" and "go" of a traffic signal to side-by-side restroom doors labeled "men" and "women.". Most antonyms are pretty obvious, like "good" and "bad," or "black" and "white.".
What does the word "antonym" mean?
The word antonym itself takes the Greek word anti, meaning "opposite, " and adds it to - onym, which comes from the Greek onoma, or "name.". So antonym literally means "opposite-name.".
What is an equivalent word?
equivalent word, synonym. two words that can be interchanged in a context are said to be synonymous relative to that context. types: direct antonym. antonyms that are commonly associated (e.g., `wet' and `dry') indirect antonym.
What is a contronym?
A contronym (also called a contranym or an autoantonym) is a word with two meanings that happen to be the opposite of each other. Specifically, according to the grammarly blog, "a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning).".
Is a homograph a heteronym?
But some strict grammarians point out that technically they're words with homographs, which are homonyms that are pronounced the same. (If they're pronounced differently then they're heteronyms.)
What are words that are spelled similarly and have two different meanings called?
Do you know what the words that are spelled similarly and have two different meanings are called? They are called contronyms . The simplest explanation is that they are words that have opposite meanings.
What are some descriptive terms for contronyms?
Some people call it contronym while others refer to it as autoantonym. More descriptive terms include antilogy, self-antonym, enantiodrome and antagonym. There’s still another term that many people use to refer to contronyms – Janus words.
What is a contronym?
A contronym is one word that has opposite meanings, which depends on the context of its use. It seems illogical that one word can have two different meanings, which can be the exact opposite of the other at times. For example, the word cleave means to cling, to adhere or to stick to something or someone.
When using a contronym, do you have to be aware of the context?
Remember that when using contronyms, you have to be aware of the words’ context, to ensure that you are relaying the right message.
Does English use contronyms?
The English language continues to evolve, including its parts. People, especially native speakers of English use contronyms in their daily conversation, but it may be tricky for learners of the language.
What is the inverse of a word?
The inverse also happens: a word that begins life with a broad meaning gains a number of more specific meanings that develop in parallel to each other, but in a way that results in two contradictory and later meanings. Sanction is one such word. When it entered English, it referred to an oath.
How do auto-antonyms develop their contradictory meanings?
Many auto-antonyms developed their contradictory meanings through a process of semantic broadening; that is, a word that has a more specific meaning gains a broader and more general meaning later on in its life. Peruse is a good example of this.
Why is a clip a contronym?
Sometimes, a contronym develops because we conflate two homographs which are not actually related. This is the case with cleave, which is actually two separate verbs: one which means "to split" (from the Old English verb cleōfan, which means "to split"), and one which means "to adhere firmly or loyally" (from the Old English verb clifian, which means "to adhere"). The same goes for clip, whose contronymous meanings are actually from two discrete verbs that mean "to attach something" and "to cut off."
What are some examples of illogical words?
Many people—native-speakers and learners alike—decry English as being illogical, and they point to pairs like flammable and inflammable as examples. But there are other words that are just as frustrating: Janus words.
What is a Janus word?
Photo: The British Library. A 'Janus word' is a word that is its own opposite—like 'fast', which can refer both to moving very quickly and to staying put. Frequently described as "words that are their own opposites," Janus words are also known as contronyms, antagonyms, or auto-antonyms. These are words that have developed contradictory meanings.
How to make a word opposite?
Sometimes you can make a word opposite by simply adding a prefix, like un-, non-, in-, or im-. Take a look at the chart below to see more examples of antonyms:
Why do we use antonyms?
Antonyms allow us to be precise in our writing, without using too many adjectives or adverbs. With the proper selection, you can make a clear distinction between two words. Let's take a look at how to search for - and select - the best words.
How to do antonym research?
Sometimes you need to take two steps to enlarge your findings when doing antonym research: Step 1: Search for the antonyms for a word. Here are some examples of antonyms for the word "good": Step 2: Search for synonyms of the antonyms identified in step one.
Why are antonyms important?
Antonyms help create prose that sparkles by offering sharp and illuminating contrasts. A robust vocabulary, including synonyms and antonyms, is an essential tool of the successful writer.
Do antonyms work?
And that's what it all boils down to. Antonyms allow us to paint clear and concise pictures when chosen accordingly.
