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📕 rednote ID(小红书号)：3881567312

Enemy Meaning, Examples, and Usage Guide (2 meaning)

Meaning 1：adversary (enemy)

enemy 🔊

/ˈɛnəmi/

A person who dislikes or wants to harm you.

adversary 🔊

➕

/ˈædvərˌsɛri/

A person who actively opposes or wishes harm upon another, often in a competitive or hostile context.

📁 Category：Warfare & Battle 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Root Explanation

From Latin 'inimicus' (in- 'not' + amicus 'friend'), meaning 'not a friend'.

💡 Mnemonic

Enemy = 'En' (not) + 'emy' (friend, from 'amicus') → someone who is not your friend.

📖 Example

In the competition, she saw everyone as a potential enemy standing between her and the trophy. 🔊 In the competition, she considered everyone a potential adversary blocking her path to the trophy.

🔗 Collocations

arch enemy – A main or most hated opponent

sworn enemy – Someone with whom one has a long-lasting, intense hatred

make an enemy – To cause someone to become hostile or opposed

🔄 Synonyms

foe (n.) – A more formal or poetic word for an enemy

opponent (n.) – Someone who competes against or resists another

adversary (n.) – A person or group that opposes or attacks another

🚫 Antonyms

ally (n.) – A person or group that supports and cooperates with another

friend (n.) – A person with whom one has a bond of mutual affection

supporter (n.) – Someone who backs or advocates for another

🌱 Derivatives

enmity (n.) – The state of being an enemy; hostility

enemies (n.) – Plural form of enemy

enemy-like (adj.) – Resembling or characteristic of an enemy

📖 Cultural Story

Originating in Latin 'inimicus', used in Roman military contexts to denote a public opponent. In modern usage, it extends to abstract opponents like disease or bad habits.

Meaning 2：threat (enemy)

enemy 🔊

/ˈɛnəmi/

Something that is very harmful and needs to be defeated, like a bad habit or disease.

threat 🔊

➕

/θrɛt/

Something that poses a serious danger or obstacle that must be overcome, often used metaphorically for bad habits, diseases, or challenges.

📁 Category：Diet & Health 🔖 Level：Intermediate

📘 Details & Usage

📖 Example

In the battle for good health, laziness and junk food are my biggest enemies. 🔊 In the struggle for good health, laziness and junk food are my greatest threats.

🔗 Collocations

public enemy – Something widely considered a major threat to society

mortal enemy – A threat that can cause destruction or death

enemy within – A harmful internal factor, like a bad habit or disease

🔄 Synonyms

menace (n.) – A person or thing that is likely to cause harm or danger

obstacle (n.) – Something that blocks or hinders progress

bane (n.) – A cause of great distress or ruin

🚫 Antonyms

ally (n.) – Something that helps or supports, especially in a struggle

aid (n.) – Help or assistance, especially against an enemy

remedy (n.) – A medicine or treatment that counteracts harm

🌱 Derivatives

enemy (n.) – Same as the base word, but used in a metaphorical sense

enemy-action (n.) – Harmful behavior or events caused by an enemy (rare)

enemy-ish (adj.) – Having qualities of an enemy (informal)