noun
enmity
EHN-mih-tee
Enmity (noun) means a deep-seated feeling of hostility or ill will between people or groups. Example: “Years of enmity between the two families finally came to a head.”
noun
1
A deep-seated feeling of hostility or ill will between people or groups.
"Years of enmity between the two families finally came to a head."
"There was open enmity between the two rival companies."
How to use enmity
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishStrong mutual hostility, as between enemies.
Common mistake
Don't confuse with "amity" (friendship) — they're near-opposites that look and sound similar.
Easily confused with
Common pairings
deep enmity
mutual enmity
enmity between
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like enmity.
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
- enmities
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
Years of _____ between the two families finally came to a head.
Etymology
From Old French enemisté, from Latin inimicus, "enemy".
Synonyms
View more →Antonyms
Related words
Rhymes for enmity
See all rhymes for enmity →Frequently asked questions
What does “enmity” mean?
The word “enmity” means a deep-seated feeling of hostility or ill will between people or groups. In plain terms, strong mutual hostility, as between enemies.
How do you pronounce “enmity”?
“Enmity” is pronounced EHN-mih-tee (/ˈɛn.mɪ.ti/ in IPA).
How do you use “enmity” in a sentence?
Here is “enmity” used in a sentence: “Years of enmity between the two families finally came to a head.”
What is another word for “enmity”?
Words with a similar meaning to “enmity” include animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, enemyhood and enemyness.
What is the opposite of “enmity”?
The opposite of “enmity” — its antonyms — is amity.
What part of speech is “enmity”?
“Enmity” is a noun.
Where does the word “enmity” come from?
The word “enmity” comes from Latin. From Old French enemisté, from Latin inimicus, "enemy".
