contranym

/ˈkɒn.tɹə.nɪm/ /ˈkɑn.tɹə.nɪm/

Meanings

noun

A word that has two opposing meanings, such as cleave (“stick together” or “split apart”).

Examples :

"The English language is full of surprises; for example, "bolt," meaning both "to secure" and "to flee," is a perfect example of a contranym. "

Related Words

meanings noun

/ˈmiːnɪŋz/ /ˈmiːnɪŋs/

(of words or symbols) The entity, perception, feeling or concept thereby represented or evoked.

"The different meanings of the word "home" can vary greatly depending on a person's experience. "

meaning noun

/ˈmiːnɪŋ/

(of words or symbols) The entity, perception, feeling or concept thereby represented or evoked.

"The meaning of the teacher's hand gesture was clear: "Pay attention." "

cleave noun

/kliːv/ /kliv/

Flat, smooth surface produced by cleavage, or any similar surface produced by similar techniques, as in glass.

"The light glinted off the quartz crystal's perfect cleave, revealing its inner structure. "

language noun

[ˈleɪŋɡwɪd͡ʒ]

A body of words, and set of methods of combining them (called a grammar), understood by a community and used as a form of communication.

"Deaf and mute people communicate using languages like ASL."

english noun

/ˈɪŋ.ɡlɪʃ/

Spinning or rotary motion given to a ball around the vertical axis, as in billiards or bowling.

"The bowler added some english to the ball to make it hook sharply towards the pins. "

opposing verb

/əˈpoʊzɪŋ/ /oʊˈpoʊzɪŋ/

To attempt to stop the progression of; to resist or antagonize by physical means, or by arguments, etc.; to contend against.

"There is still time to oppose this plan."

perfect noun

/ˈpɜː.fɛkt/ /ˈpɝfɪkt/ /pəˈfɛkt/ /pɚˈfɛkt/

(grammar) The perfect tense, or a form in that tense.

"The perfect tense, used to describe actions completed before another time, is a useful grammatical tool. "

together adjective

/təˈɡɛð.ə(ɹ)/ /təˈɡɛðɚ/

Coherent; well organized.

"The teacher's lesson plan was together, covering all the key concepts logically. "

secure verb

/səˈkjɔː(ɹ)/ /səˈkjɔɹ/

To make safe; to relieve from apprehensions of, or exposure to, danger; to guard; to protect.

"The school installed new security cameras to secure the building and protect students. "

stick noun

/stɪk/

An elongated piece of wood or similar material, typically put to some use, for example as a wand or baton.

"The little boy used a stick to help him balance his building blocks. "

example noun

/əɡˈzæmpl̩/ /ɘɡˈzɐːmpɯ/ /ɪɡˈzɑːmpl̩/

Something that is representative of all such things in a group.

"The teacher gave a good example of a sentence using the past tense. "

surprises noun

/sərˈpraɪzɪz/ /səˈpraɪzɪz/

Something unexpected.

"It was a surprise to find out I owed twice as much as I thought I did."