Words that convey opposite meanings

[echarcha]

Lets play the game of listing words that convey opposite meanings.

No googling please!

I know that all you need is to just Google or look up some Wikipedia link and you can have it all, but then thats not fun.

Lets write down words which convey opposite meanings when said in that specific context.

Example -

Apparent or Apparently.

Meaning: To say that something is "apparent" is to say that it is obviously true.

Opposite meaning: To say that that same thing is "apparently true" is to cast doubt on its veracity.


So lets play this game.

BTW such words are called auto-antonyms ... Again, no Googling please. Lets abide by the honor system.

[echarcha]

As a twist, you can also note down words in Hindi which have the same quality. Or any other Indian language.

[amritvani]

Originally Posted by echarcha

As a twist, you can also note down words in Hindi which have the same quality. Or any other Indian language.

The most interesting one is the word शिक्षा. In Hindi it means studying and in Marathi it means puishment. May be that is how it was coined and is not incidental after all.

Also since many words across languages sound similar we conveniently infer the meaning to what we know. A bong friend of mine said आमी घुमे जाछी (or jabo) so I thought he is going for a walk (घुमने) but he was puzzled when I said I will join as well. Actually he was going to sleep since that is what it means in Bangla, and I am not gay (never was). Added to that I was freshman and ragging was a big deal then.

[induz]

I was very puzzled with the simple letter 'X' on my immigration forms. I had no clue whether it is to X out or X is for selection.

[chitrala]

I knew a few...cant remember now...I think one was "Cleave"... it has opposite meanings... recently I read some other word of same kind...cant remember...

[tapasvi]

Originally Posted by induz

I was very puzzled with the simple letter 'X' on my immigration forms. I had no clue whether it is to X out or X is for selection.

your angle of thinking reminds of red arrow signals at traffic lights... when i first saw them i was really confused. jaane ka ki nahi jaane ka. arrow bhi hai aur red bhi hai.

[tapasvi]

Originally Posted by echarcha

As a twist, you can also note down words in Hindi which have the same quality. Or any other Indian language.

vo aa gaya

[Ravi]

"'We are 'conveniently located' at'" is another example. The intended meaning is that we are at a convenient location (for you), as opposed to 'This location is convenient to us (not necessarily for you)'.

[Rakhi]

I was working hard.
I was hardly working.

[echarcha]

Originally Posted by Rakhi

I was working hard.
I was hardly working.

No this is play on words .. the word itself 'work' or 'hard' dont convey opposite meanings.

[Rakhi]

Originally Posted by echarcha

No this is play on words .. the word itself 'work' or 'hard' dont convey opposite meanings.

hard and hardly...? I think it does or so I thought. Anyone?

[pakkidost]

awful.

something extremely wonderful, also something extremely bad.

When my son says you bake awful cakes, I dont know what to say.

[pakkidost]

hardly could be another auto antonym too...

hardly means rarely and also means with much power.

Ex: He hardly comes here anymore
He was holding my hand hardly.

[raniraja]

Originally Posted by pakkidost

awful.

something extremely wonderful, also something extremely bad.

When my son says you bake awful cakes, I dont know what to say.

Awwwwwwwww.. that's awful, Pakki :sottovoce:

[pakkidost]

Teenagers these days use many words people earlier considered as negative meaning words. Like this game is wicked means this game is awesome, you look evil means you look stunning, you are sick means you are bad.... Someday these words are bound to be considered as auto antonyms.

Arghhhhh.