- Today's Word
Enmity
EN-muh-tee
Definition
- (noun) Deep-seated hostility, hatred, or ill will, especially between rivals or enemies.
Example
The long-standing enmity between the two feuding families had lasted for generations.
Fun Fact
“Enmity” comes from the Old French enmiteit, which evolved from the Latin inimicus, meaning “enemy.” Unlike fleeting anger, enmity suggests a lasting, often mutual animosity—think of classic literary rivalries like Sherlock Holmes and Professor Moriarty or historical conflicts like the Hatfields and McCoys. Interestingly, enmity can also exist in milder forms, such as friendly sports rivalries, where competition breeds respect alongside opposition.
(adjective) Excessively sweet or sentimental; sickeningly or insincerely agreeable.
The movie’s saccharine ending felt unearned, wrapping up years of complicated relationships with a neat bow that no one believed.