English 11 Plus What is an Antonym?

An antonym is a word that is the opposite of another word, for example, the antonym of hot is cold.

In general you will find that at some point when speaking about people, objects or things you will pick out one characteristic for example it is hot or she is tall – this helps you to define this thing or person.

Now, when you come to comparing that characteristic you will use the opposite to show the reader or listener the difference for example she is tall but he is short. This can also be said for times when one thing changes from one state to or another. To point out to the reader or listener it has changed you would say the opposite, for example the light switch is on and then the light switch was off or to give an idea of distance – i am far, i am very near.

The use of antonyms here helps you begin to define the situation and scenario whilst also allowing you to express clearly to the listener or reader for more impact and effect. Expressing yourself in this way demonstrates your ability to recognise the detail in things and how to communicate them.

Types of Antonyms

There are different types of opposites. The few examples we have given so far are direct opposites for example if something is on, it cannot be off and if someone is tall they cannot be short.

In the English 11 Plus, antonyms go one step more and can help you communicate more specific detail. The 3 types of antonyms you will come across are:

Complementary / contradictory antonyms

Complementary, also known as contradictory, antonyms are direct opposites where if one is used to describe an object or thing then the other cannot be in use at the same time. As an example if a light switch is off, then it cannot be on at the same time. This type of antonym helps to define a specific state.

Gradable antonyms

Gradable antonyms are opposite words across a range that can change when comparing different things to each other. This range can be created by adding adjectives which will help define where in the range that version of the antonym sits, for example if our gradable antonyms are far and near, you can also have:

• Very far
• Slightly far
• Slightly near
• Very near

So although we have the 2 antonyms, we can define them further to sit on the range.

Relational antonyms

Relational antonyms are the opposite roles in a relationship for example husband and wife, teacher and student, parent and child. These type of antonyms are taken from the opposite ends of relationship between 2 things, for example we cannot have up without down.

Antonyms with prefixes

Now we know the common types of antonyms, lets look at the quickest way of creating one.

In English, prefixes are commonly used to create the natural opposite of a word. This is a quick shortcut in reversing the meaning of a word and finding an antonym but be aware that not all words take prefixes. Here are a few examples below:

1. mis –
   1. lead = mislead
   2. behave = misbehave
   3. fortune = misfortune
2. un –
   1. important = unimportant
   2. necessary = unnecessary
   3. likely = unlikely
3. dis-
   1. honest = dishonest
   2. appear = disappear
   3. agree = disagree

Why should I use antonyms?

There are a number of reasons why you would want to use antonyms in your language. One clear purpose for an antonym is to you distinguish and highlight the nature and state of 2 things, objects or people. And by showing clear distinction you can communicate a stronger message, whilst also creating structure and order in your language. Here are a few other reasons:

• To increase your vocabulary
• To clearly differentiate between 2 things
• To show an opposite relationship
• To show an absolute e.g. when a thing cannot be both things at the same time
• To grade and show levels of something e.g. tiny, small

Just like synonyms for the 11 Plus, antonyms play a major role because they help you define things, build relationships and also separate objects, items, people and things based on qualities and characteristics.

These qualities and characteristics are antonyms for example Jack can be tall whilst Jill is short. Both are antonyms and give you a clear definition of each characters height.

Now, having a good grasp of antonyms, just like synonyms, will automatically help you express and communicate your thoughts in a clear and specific way. This is why they should play a core part of your vocabulary, and is also why they are tested in the 11 Plus.

Antonym Example

Here is an example of a word and its antonyms, not all antonyms are included, just a few to give you an idea.

Word : Delicious

Definition : Delightful and pleasant to the taste

Antonyms List :

• Disgusting : revulsion or strong indignation.
• Distasteful : causing dislike or aversion; disagreeable or unpleasant.
• Awful : extremely disagreeable or objectionable
• Horrid : innately offensive or repulsive
• Foul : offensive to the senses, especially through having a disgusting smell or taste or being dirty.

Example use of an antonym :

• The food was foul
• The food was disgusting
• The food was awful

Antonym Multiple Choice Question / Worksheets

Worksheet 1

1. Which one is the antonym for angry : large, big, hat, calm, lad
2. Which one is the antonym for happy : tower, upset, sad, joyful
3. Which one is the antonym for up : tiny, down, upset, sky
4. Which one is the antonym for child : door, adult, kid, red
5. Which one is the antonym for truthful : believe, honest, liar, handle
6. Which one is the antonym for group : pair, jack, single, style
7. Which one is the antonym for amazing : joyous, big, bad, incredible
8. Which one is the antonym for big : small, bag, large, load
9. Which one is the antonym for ask : want, enquire, answer, speak
10. Which one is the antonym for eager : keen, forward, uninterested, lean