adjective
hostile
HOS-tyl
adjective
1
Unfriendly or aggressive, like an enemy.
"The crowd grew hostile as the referee made another bad call."
"He gave a hostile response to every question at the press conference."
2
Relating to a takeover of a company that the target company's management opposes.
"The firm fought off a hostile takeover bid last year."
How to Use Hostile
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishUnfriendly, aggressive, or opposed — like the attitude of an enemy.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
hostile environment
hostile takeover
hostile crowd
Word Forms
more hostile comparative, hostiles plural, most hostile superlative
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Etymology
From Latin hostilis, "of an enemy," from hostis, "enemy" or "stranger."