hostile

Pronunciation: /ˈhɑstəl/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: B2 — Upper-Intermediate

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun troops belonging to the enemy's military forces
  2. adjective characterized by enmity or ill will
  3. adjective not belonging to your own country's forces or those of an ally

Etymology

Borrowed from Middle French hostile, from Latin hostīlis, from hostis (“enemy”). Displaced Old English fēondlīċ.

In classic literature

Semantic network

Broader (hypernyms)
military personnel
Opposite (antonyms)
friendly

A single word — an entire dictionary opens.

Type a word, a sentence, a book title, or a link to an English article. WordNet and the Classics answer.

Try

A library of classics · a vault of words · instant etymology & meaning

Continue reading

Nice save! Solidify it with review →