Antonyms & Opposites

In this lesson, you will learn about antonyms — words that have opposite meanings. The 11+ exam frequently tests your knowledge of antonyms, so understanding the different types and how to form them is essential.

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What Is an Antonym?

An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word.

• hot ↔ cold
• big ↔ small
• happy ↔ sad
• light ↔ dark
• fast ↔ slow

Knowing antonyms doubles your vocabulary — every time you learn a word and its opposite, you have learned two words!

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Three Types of Antonyms

Not all opposites work in the same way. There are three main types:

1. Gradable Antonyms

These are opposites on a scale — there are degrees between them.