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What are 'Contronyms'?

4 years ago
English can be a difficult language. When I was growing up as a native speaker, it all seemed so easy. It was only when I started trying to understand it from the perspective of my students that I realized how complicated it is!

For example, there are quite a lot of English language words that can have completely opposite meanings, depending on the context! Here are just ten:

  1. Bound: heading to a destination, or restrained from movement
  2. Clip: to fasten, or to detach
  3. Consult: to offer advice, or to obtain it
  4. Dollop: a large amount of something, or a small amount of something
  5. Dust: to add fine particles, or to remove them
  6. Fine: excellent, or just about good enough
  7. Go: to proceed or succeed, or to weaken or fail
  8. Handicap: an advantage provided to ensure equality, or a disadvantage that prevents equal achievement
  9. Hold up: to support, or to stop progress
  10. Off: Deactivated, or activated, as an alarm
If that seems confusing, don't worry! By getting frequent English practice, and speaking with a native speaker who can gently point out your mistakes, you can make great progress really quickly!