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Meaning & use

enemy

noun·Everyday

Last updated

UK/ˈenəmi/
US/ˈenəmi/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A person or group that dislikes you and wants to harm you or work against you.

    Grammar: Often an enemy of someone: an enemy of the state.

    Patterns

    • an enemy of someone
    • make an enemy of someone

    He made an enemy of his boss by arguing publicly.

    The two families have been enemies for generations.

    She has no enemies and gets along with everybody.

  2. nounsingularmilitary

    A country or force that is at war with another, or its military.

    Grammar: Often takes the: the enemy attacked at dawn.

    Patterns

    • the enemy

    The soldiers watched for the enemy from the hill.

    The enemy retreated across the river.

    Troops fought the enemy for three days.

  3. nouncountablefigurative

    Something that harms or works against a good thing.

    Grammar: Figurative use with of: the enemy of progress.

    Patterns

    • the enemy of something

    Procrastination is the enemy of success.

    Salt is the enemy of a healthy heart.

    Noise is the enemy of concentration.

Word forms

pluralenemies

Common combinations

sworn enemy
The two rival teams are sworn enemies.
mortal enemy
The wolf is the mortal enemy of the farmer's flock.
public enemy
The press made him public enemy number one.
make an enemy
Be careful not to make enemies at work.
common enemy
A common enemy brought the neighbors together.
enemy lines
The pilot landed behind enemy lines.

Synonyms and how they differ

foe
Foe is a more literary or old-fashioned word for enemy.
adversary
Adversary is formal and suggests an opponent in a struggle or contest.
opponent
Opponent is milder and can be someone you simply compete against, with no hatred.
rival
Rival suggests competition for the same goal rather than deep hostility.

Opposites

friendally

Word family

enmity noun
deep, lasting hostility
inimical adjective
harmful or hostile
unfriendly adjective
not kind
enemies noun
plural of enemy

Commonly confused: enemy or opponent?

enemy vs opponent

An opponent just plays or competes against you and may be friendly, while an enemy wishes you harm.

Practice

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