A contronym is a word that has opposite meanings depending on the context in which it is used. It seems illogical, however, that the same word can mean something very different, and in many cases, even the exact opposite. There a variety of English contronym examples, and new ones are evolving constantly. Take for instance, the word “literally” which has come to mean both “actually” and “figuratively”.
What is a Contronym?
The definition of a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (words with opposite meanings) e.g. the word “transparent” can mean either something that is Invisible or obvious.
There are many English contronym examples that are used in everyday conversation. This can make mastering these words and their usage tricky for English as a second language learners.
You have to make sure you understand the context in which you’re using the word, otherwise you could end up saying the opposite of what you mean. Sometimes depending, on how much the contronym is used as slang, the people you are speaking with who may not know the second meaning.
This is also an important concept for translation and interpreting services – if used in the wrong context, a contronym can the entire meaning of a sentence or conversation.
To help out translation services providers, interpreters, English learners, and us native English speakers, we’ve defined ten rather confusing English contronym examples to help you familiarize yourself with their contradicting meanings!
10 Confusing English Contronym Examples
1. Apology
A statement of contrition for an action, or a defense of one
Usage 1: Jane apologized to Daquan for forgetting to attend his birthday dinner.
Usage 2: The politician’s speech was an apology for the platform his party’s candidate was running on – the public widely criticized the proposed ideas, but the politician supported them nonetheless.
2. Bill
A payment, or an invoice for payment
Usage 1: Jack handed him a few bills to cover the gas for the trip.
Usage 2: It’s like all we get in the mail anymore are bills – car bills, credit car bills, phone bills – how are we supposed to afford anything fun?!
3. Bolt
To secure, or to flee
Usage 1: Make sure you bolt down the tarp – we don’t want it flying away before we can set up the tent!
Usage 2: When we saw the rain coming we bolted to the house and managed to stay dry.
4. Cleave
To adhere (physically or figuratively), or to separate
Usage 1: The children didn’t want to stay with the babysitter while their parents went out – the little girl was cleaving to her mothers leg to try and stop her from going.
Usage 2: I loved watching my dad prepare the fire during winter – he would cleave wood out in the backyard, and bring in the logs every night.
5. Dust
To add fine particles, or to remove them
Usage 1: The chef dusted the dessert with powdered sugar as her final touch.
Usage 2: I would hate to be a caretaker at any of the royal castles – think of all the chandeliers and furniture you’d have to dust!
6. Fix
To mend or to castrate
Usage 1: I finally fixed all the gaps in the fence in the backyard.
Usage 2: It is common for pet owners to take male dogs and cats in to be fixed so that they don’t reproduce.
7. Finished
Completed, or ended or destroyed
Usage 1: He finally finished his essay so he said he could come to the movies with us!
Usage 2: By the time the tornado left, the neighborhood was finished – not a house was left without damages.
8. Give out
To provide, or to stop because of a lack of supply
Usage 1: The aid volunteers were giving out fresh water and blankets to people whose homes were destroyed by the hurricane.
Usage 2: As soon as she crossed the finish line of the marathon, her legs gave out – she was completely out of energy.
9. Hold up
To support, or to impede
Usage 1: The beams running across the ceiling are what help hold up the roof.
Usage 2: There was a hold up near the entrance to the new shopping mall – so many people were trying to get in and out, the traffic wasn’t moving at all.
10. Minute
A short amount of time, or used in a phrase to indicate a long amount of time
Usage 1: I thought the line was going to take forever, but I got through it in about a minute and was on my way!
Usage 2: It’s been a minute since I last saw Chris – what’s he up to lately?
Which are your favorite contronym examples? Let us know in the comments!
Sources
- Daily Writing Tips/Contronyms
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I like”great” meaning large and “great” as in great prices meaning small prices as seen in advertisements