opposite word
Học thuậtThân thiện
Definition
Noun: A word that directly expresses a meaning contrary to the meaning of another word. When two words have opposite meanings, they are antonyms of each other.
Usage
The term "opposite word" is used to identify a specific lexical relationship between two words. It is a common and accessible term for describing antonyms, especially in educational contexts.
Examples
- In vocabulary lessons, students are often asked to find the opposite word for a given term.
- "Hot" is the opposite word of "cold."
- The teacher explained that "arrive" and "depart" are opposite words.
Advanced Usage
- Conceptual Opposition: An "opposite word" can represent different types of opposition, such as gradable (e.g., big/small), complementary (e.g., alive/dead), or relational (e.g., buy/sell).
- Context Dependence: The valid opposite for a word can sometimes depend on context. For example, the opposite word for "light" could be "dark" (color), "heavy" (weight), or "serious" (mood).
Variants and Related Words
- Antonym (n): The more formal or technical term for "opposite word." It is frequently used in linguistics and lexicography.
- 'Rapid' and 'slow' are antonyms.
- Opposite (n/adj): Can function as a noun meaning "a person or thing that is totally different from another." As an adjective, it means "situated on the other side."
- We have opposite views on politics. (adj)
- Black is the opposite of white. (n)
Synonyms
- Antonym
- Counterterm
Related Phrases
- Direct opposite: Emphasizes a clear and unambiguous contrary relationship.
- "Generous" is the direct opposite of "stingy."
- Polar opposite: Suggests two extremes on a spectrum.
- Their personalities are polar opposites.
Noun
- a word that expresses a meaning opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other
- to him the antonym of `gay' was `depressed'