Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
direct antonym

direct antonym

5.6
A word that means the exact opposite of another word
  • noun
  • /dɪˈrɛkt ˈæntəˌnɪm/
translation icon : antónimo directo
  • The direct antonym of 'hot' is 'cold'.

Examples

  • The teacher asked students to list some common direct antonyms they encounter in everyday speech.

  • In language studies, understanding direct antonyms helps clarify meaning and context.

  • 'Tall' and 'short' are often cited as a classic pair of direct antonyms.

  • Can you give me a direct antonym for 'happy'?

  • 'Tall' and 'short' are often cited as a classic pair of direct antonyms.

  • In language studies, understanding direct antonyms helps clarify meaning and context.

  • The teacher asked students to list some common direct antonyms they encounter in everyday speech.

Synonyms

antonym
vsdirect antonym
3 3.2

A word with the opposite meaning of another word

is narrower, requiring an exact, core contrast in meaning
opposite word
vsdirect antonym
3.2

A word that has the reverse meaning of another word

is more exact, showing a core, complete contrast in meaning

Antonyms

synonym
24 2.8

A word with the same or a very similar meaning to another word

Surface Forms

direct antonym singular
direct antonyms plural

Morphology

direct + antonym

The meaning is fully compositional: 'direct' (straight, immediate) qualifies 'antonym' (a contrasting word) to indicate an exact or unmediated opposite. This modifier relationship is transparent and parallels formulations in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents would readily infer the MWE meaning.

Etymology

Direct antonym is a phrase for a word that is the exact opposite of another word. Picture two arrows pointing away from each other or a pair like 'wet' and 'dry', and remember that antonym means 'opposite' while direct means 'exact'. So, direct antonym means 'a word that gives the clear, exact opposite'.