= Words that are their own opposites. Contronyms are also sometimes referred to "Janus words" after the two-faced Roman god. Does anyone know if these exist in other languages? What Is a Contronym? A contronym (also called a contranym or an autoantonym) is a word with two meanings that happen to be the opposite of each other. Specifically, according to the grammarly blog, "a contronym is a word with a homonym (another word with the same spelling but different meaning) that is also an antonym (a word with the opposite meaning)." But some strict grammarians point out that technically they're words with homographs, which are homonyms that are pronounced the same. (If they're pronounced differently then they're heteronyms.) Below are some contronyms and their contradictory, two-faced definitions - I confess I didn't collect these; I got them from a website (source at the bottom). But I can add to this list with a contronym phrase: "There is nothing between us": could either mean we are so close that nothing stands between us, or we are so opposed, we are miles apart/ have nothing in common, nothing connecting us. Bolt To separate by fleeing or to hold together (as with a bolt) Bound Going toward a destination or restrained from moving Buckle To fasten together (with a buckle) or to bend or collapse from pressure Cleave To adhere firmly and closely or to split apart Clip To fasten (as with a paperclip) or to detach with shears (clipping your hair or your hedges) Consult To give advice or to get advice Custom A common practice or a specially made item Dust dictionary and contranyms Dust off your dictionary. Some words (like dust) can have clashing meanings. d8nn/Shutterstock To cover something with a fine power or to make something clean by brushing or removing dust Enjoin To order someone to do something or to prohibit someone from doing something Fast Firmly fixed and unmoving or able to move rapidly Fast could mean either ‘secured in one place’ or ‘moving quickly.’ For example, you’d probably want your car to be fast, but the tires to hold fast. Finished Completed or destroyed Garnish To add decorative touches (to food or drink) or to take/withhold from (as in wages) Handicap An advantage given to equalize chances of winning (as in golf) or a disadvantage that makes equality difficult Lease To rent property or to offer property for rent Left Departed or remained behind Model The original, perfect example or a copy Off Not operating (turn off the light) or operating (the alarm went off) Out Visible (the stars are out) or invisible (the lights are out) Overlook To watch or to fail to notice Oversight Watchful, responsible care or a mistake made due to forgetfulness or poor supervision Peruse To skim or to read very carefully Ravel To separate or to become entangled Rent To lease something or to offer an something for lease Sanction To boycott or to approve Screen To hide or to show (like a movie) Fast could mean either ‘secured in one place’ or ‘moving quickly.’ For example, you’d probably want your car to be fast, but the tires to hold fast. Seed red watermelon slices with seeds To seed a watermelon is to remove seeds. To seed a lawn is to add them. To add seed ("seeding the lawn") or to remove seed ("seeding a watermelon") Strike To hit or to miss while trying to hit Trim To add (decorations) or to take away (extra hair or fabric, for example) Wear To endure or to deteriorate Weather To withstand or to be worn away Source: https://www.treehugger.com/words-that-are-their-own-opposites-4864116
in/out There are 11 batsmen in the pavilion. Each batsman comes out to go in. Once he's in, he plays until he's out. Then he goes back in to the pavilion, and the next batsman comes out to go in.
Inflammable. It means incapable of catching fire, and also easily able to catch fire. Very dangerous to have that word printed on containers!
It doesn't mean incapable of catching fire though. That's non-flammable. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/61201/why-do-flammable-and-inflammable-mean-same-thing
Hmmm... you're right, but I could swear I've seen it used that way. I guess incorrect usage doesn't count on this thread though.
The way "the youth" use the word "sick" to mean good these days makes it a contronym. Like the word "wicked" back in the day.
