Contronym facts for kids
A contronym is a special kind of word that has two meanings that are actually opposites! It's like one word can mean two completely different things, which can sometimes be a bit confusing but also quite interesting. Think of it as a word that contradicts itself!
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How Do Contronyms Work?
Contronyms are also known as "auto-antonyms." This means they are their own opposites. How can one word have two opposite meanings? It usually happens because words change their meanings over time, or they get used in different situations.
Sometimes, the way a word is used in a sentence helps you figure out which meaning is intended. But other times, it can be a bit tricky!
Examples of Contronyms
Here are some cool examples of contronyms and how they can mean two opposite things:
Bolt
- Meaning 1: To secure or fasten something.
- He bolted the door means he locked it to keep it safe.
- Meaning 2: To run away quickly.
- When he got scared, he bolted means he ran off very fast.
Clip
- Meaning 1: To fasten or attach something.
- He clipped the pin to his shirt means he attached the pin.
- Meaning 2: To cut or detach something.
- She used scissors to clip her hair means she cut her hair.
Dust
- Meaning 1: To remove tiny particles.
- He dusted the picture frames means he cleaned the dust off them.
- Meaning 2: To sprinkle tiny particles onto something.
- She dusted the cookies with powdered sugar means she put powdered sugar on them.
Fast
- Meaning 1: Moving quickly.
- He ran very fast means he was speedy.
- Meaning 2: Held firmly in place, unmoving.
- He pulled on the rope, but it held fast means the rope stayed still and secure.
Fireman
- Meaning 1: A person who makes fires.
- The steam locomotive's fireman shoveled coal into the firebox describes someone who keeps a fire burning.
- Meaning 2: A person who puts out fires.
- The fireman used a hose to spray water to put out the fire describes a firefighter.
Left
- Meaning 1: Remaining or still present.
- After taking an apple, there were two left means two apples were still there.
- Meaning 2: Departed from a place.
- He opened the door and left means he went away.
Off
- Meaning 1: Not operating or disconnected.
- He turned the lights off means the lights stopped working.
- Meaning 2: Starting to operate or activated.
- When the window broke, the alarm went off means the alarm started ringing.
Rent
- Meaning 1: To pay money to use something that belongs to someone else.
- She was looking for a house to rent means she wanted to pay to live in someone else's house.
- Meaning 2: To allow someone else to use something of yours for money.
- He rented a room to make extra money means he let someone else pay to use his room.
Sanction
- Meaning 1: To approve or give official permission.
- The priest sanctioned the marriage means he gave his blessing to it.
- Meaning 2: To impose a penalty or punishment.
- The US government sanctioned Cuba means they put restrictions or penalties on Cuba.
Seed
- Meaning 1: To plant seeds.
- The children seeded the ground with pumpkin seeds means they put seeds into the soil.
- Meaning 2: To remove seeds from something.
- They seeded the watermelon before they served it means they took the seeds out of the watermelon.
Transparent
- Meaning 1: Clear and easy to see through.
- The glass was transparent means you could see right through it.
- Meaning 2: Obvious and easy to understand.
- His motives were transparent means his reasons were very clear and easy to figure out.
See also
In Spanish: Enantiosemía para niños
