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

1. 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'