noun
animus
A-nih-muhs
Animus (noun) means Strong dislike, hostility, or ill will toward someone or something. Example: “He couldn't explain his animus toward his former partner.”
noun
1
Strong dislike, hostility, or ill will toward someone or something.
"He couldn't explain his animus toward his former partner."
"The review was tinged with obvious animus."
2
Intention or motive, especially in a legal sense.
"The court examined the defendant's animus in bringing the claim."
"Prosecutors had to prove criminal animus."
How to use animus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishHostility or underlying intent behind someone's actions.
Common mistake
In everyday use "animus" leans toward hostility; in law it often just means "intent," without necessarily implying malice.
Easily confused with
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like animus.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Word forms
- Plural
- animuses
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He couldn't explain his _____ toward his former partner.
Etymology
A learned borrowing directly from Latin animus, meaning "mind, spirit, intention" — closely related to anima ("soul, breath").
Synonyms
View more →
animosity
bad blood
Related words
Rhymes for animus
See all rhymes for animus →Frequently asked questions
What does “animus” mean?
The word “animus” means strong dislike, hostility, or ill will toward someone or something. In plain terms, hostility or underlying intent behind someone's actions.
How do you pronounce “animus”?
“Animus” is pronounced A-nih-muhs (/ˈæ.nɪ.məs/ in IPA).
How do you use “animus” in a sentence?
Here is “animus” used in a sentence: “He couldn't explain his animus toward his former partner.”
What part of speech is “animus”?
“Animus” is a noun.
Where does the word “animus” come from?
The word “animus” comes from Latin. A learned borrowing directly from Latin animus, meaning "mind, spirit, intention" — closely related to anima ("soul, breath").
How many meanings does “animus” have?
“Animus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: strong dislike, hostility, or ill will toward someone or something.
