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What is a contronym?

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What is a contronym?

If you've ever had an argument over a word's contradictory usage, you may have encountered a contronym. These words can cause mix-ups if you don't understand the context.

W hen you look up the definition of a word, you expect a clear answer. However, many English words will list multiple definitions, based on different usages. Occasionally, two definitions conflict with each other. When a word develops in multiple directions and ends up with contradicting definitions, it's called a contronym.

There are many words with multiple definitions, but to be a contronym, the usages must conflict. Consider the verb "dust." It can mean "to make free of dust" and "to sprinkle with fine particles." After you carefully dust the living room, your child may accidentally dust the carpet with food crumbs. Some other contronyms include "clip" ("to cut off" or "to attach"), "weather" ("to withstand" or "to erode"), and "trim" ("to cut/reduce" or "to decorate"). To determine which version of a contronym is at play, context clues help.

"Contronym" comes from the Latin prefix "contra-" and the Greek "-onym." As with "synonym" and "homonym," the "-onym" combining form indicates that it's a language category containing many words under its umbrella. The term "contronym" was coined in a 1962 edition of Merriam-Webster's magazine Word Study by a reader who wrote in to discuss the contradictory definitions of common words. He cited the dual usages of "fast" as an adverb. It can mean either "quickly" or "in a firm or fixed manner." Both definitions have been in use since the 13th century, so contradictory definitions are a fundamental aspect of language.

You might also hear contronyms called Janus words. The Roman god Janus is often depicted with two faces, as he oversees both beginnings and endings. Janus' contradictory duties represent the evolving nature of language, and when you come across a contronym, the meaning might depend on which way you're facing.