Hate
/heɪt/
Definitions
2 meaningsTo feel an intense dislike for; to detest.
/heɪt/
To feel intense dislike for.
She hates spiders.
💡 Simply: Imagine something you really, really don't like, maybe like waking up early! That's what it means to hate something – you feel a strong dislike for it. For example, 'I hate Mondays!'
👶 For kids: To feel like you REALLY don't like something or someone.
More Examples
He hates waiting in line.
I hate the way he treats his dog.
How It's Used
"I hate broccoli."
"He hates liars."
Intense dislike or ill will; a feeling of animosity.
/heɪt/
Intense dislike; antipathy.
The expression of hate in his eyes was frightening.
💡 Simply: Hate is a really strong feeling of not liking something or someone. Think of it as the opposite of love. For example, 'The movie was filled with hate and violence.'
👶 For kids: A really, really bad feeling about something or someone.
More Examples
The organization fights against hate speech.
He was motivated by hate, not reason.
How It's Used
"The speech was full of hate."
"He spread hate speech online."
Idioms & expressions
hate crime
A crime motivated by prejudice or bias against a person or group based on characteristics such as race, religion, sexual orientation, or ethnicity.
"The police are investigating the incident as a hate crime."
hate-filled
Filled with or expressing hatred.
"The internet is often filled with hate-filled comments."
From Old English *hatian*, from Proto-Germanic *hatōną* meaning 'to hate, be hostile'. Related to German *hassen* and Dutch *haten*.
The word 'hate' has existed in English for centuries, and has consistently carried the meaning of strong dislike.
Memory tip
Think of a hot stove: you hate the feeling of being burned.
Word Origin
"to hate, be hostile"