Dictionary Workbench Ondict
Word Bank Import Dict Cloud Sync

    hostile

    Dictionary entry view. Switch to definition mode above when you know the meaning but not the word.

    hostile
    hos‧tile /ˈhɒstaɪl $ ˈhɑːstl, ˈhɑːstaɪl/ adjective
     Date: 1500-1600
     Language: French
     Origin: Latin hostilis, from hostis 'stranger, enemy'
    1. angry and deliberately unfriendly towards someone, and ready to argue with them:
        Southampton fans gave their former coach a hostile reception.
        Carr wouldn’t meet Feng’s stare, which was openly hostile.
        his hostile attitude
        hostile to/towards
        The boy feels hostile towards his father.
    2. opposing a plan or idea very strongly
        hostile to/towards
        Senator Lydon was hostile to our proposals.
    3. belonging to an enemy:
        hostile territory
    4. used to describe conditions that are difficult to live in, or that make it difficult to achieve something
        hostile environment/climate/terrain etc
        a guide to surviving in even the most hostile terrain
        Sales increased last year despite the hostile economic environment.
    5. hostile takeover/bid a situation in which a company tries to buy another company that does not want to be bought
         
    THESAURUS
    ■ person/voice/behaviour
       ▪ unfriendly/not friendly behaving towards someone in a way that shows you are not interested in them or are not ready to talk to them or help them: The hotel staff were unfriendly and unhelpful. | an unfriendly tone of voice | They didn't seem very friendly to strangers. | She gave him an unfriendly glance.
       ▪ hostile very unfriendly, and ready to argue or fight: He was openly hostile towards me when I arrived. | A hostile crowd gathered oustide the US embassy.
       ▪ cold behaving towards other people as if you do not like them or care about them: He gave her a cold stare. | a cold voice
       ▪ frosty unfriendly, especially because you are angry with someone: When she spoke, her tone was frosty. | He got a frosty reception from his wife when he finally returned home (=she was not very friendly towards him).
       ▪ aloof [not before noun] not wanting to talk to other people or spend time with them, especially because you think you are better than them: Some politicians are criticized for being too aloof.
       ▪ antagonistic unfriendly and always trying to start arguments with someone: Why are Kate and John so antagonistic towards each other?
       ▪ antisocial not interested in meeting other people or forming friendly relationships with them: Sorry if I'm being antisocial, but I need to get my work done. | He was an antisocial loner with no friends.