contranym

English - English

Definition of contranym in English English dictionary

A word that has two opposing meanings, such as cleave (“come together” or “split apart”)

{i} autoantonym, word having two opposing meanings such as the word "dust" which means " to remove dirt or dust and also means "to sprinkle" or "scatter dust

A word that has two opposing meanings

Synonyms

autoantonym

Etymology

() contra- + -onym , coined 1962 by Jack Herring as contronym.Herring, Jack. Word Study (February 1962).