WordGarden.ioenemy
B1Pronunciation
UK
- /ˈɛnəmi/
US
- /ˈɛnəmi/
Meanings
Noun
a person or group that is actively hostile or opposed to someone
the opposing country, army, or side in a war or armed conflict
something that harms, prevents, or works against a desired thing
Adjective
belonging to or coming from an opposing side in a conflict
Beyond the definition
An enemy is not just someone you dislike. It is someone who is against you and may want to harm, stop, or defeat you. Sometimes it is a person or a group, like an army in war or a villain in a story. Sometimes people also use the word for things that work against human well-being, such as disease, poverty, or fear. In stories, heroes often face enemies that block their path and test their courage.
The word "enemy" comes from the Old French enemi, meaning "foe." It usually carries a strong feeling of conflict and serious opposition. You can speak of an enemy in war or personal conflict, but you can also talk about an enemy of peace, justice, or progress.
An enemy is someone who is actively hostile toward another person, group, or cause. We often picture an enemy as a clear figure in a story, such as the villain fighting the hero, but the idea reaches further than that. An enemy can be a nation at war, a violent group, or anything else seen as working directly against someone's safety, hopes, or values. In a wider and more figurative sense, people may also call disease, hunger, fear, or injustice an enemy when these things stand in the way of a good life.
The key idea in the word is opposition. It is stronger than simple disagreement. A person can disagree with you, compete with you, or challenge you without being your enemy. A friendly rival may help you grow through competition, but an enemy is seen as trying to block, hurt, weaken, or destroy.
Historically, the word "enemy" was closely tied to war and armed conflict, and that meaning is still very common today. Over time, its use has widened. People now speak of "enemies of freedom," "enemies of progress," or even "the enemy within," meaning inner struggles such as fear, addiction, or self-destructive habits. Literature is full of such figures, from open villains to hidden forces that quietly work against the main character.
Context matters when using "enemy." The word can sound dramatic and serious, especially when real harm or deep conflict is involved. In other cases, it is used in a metaphorical way for anything that stands directly in the way of what you want, need, or believe in. At its core, an enemy is someone or something seen as working against you in a meaningful way.
Examples
- 1
War
During the war, the pilot was captured by the enemy.
- 2
Personal rival
In the final scene, the hero spares his old enemy instead of killing him.
- 3
International relations
The two countries were enemies for decades.
- 4
Creating hostility
If you keep criticizing people in public, you'll make an enemy of someone sooner or later.
- Patternmake an enemy of + person
cause that person to become hostile to you
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Harmful factor
Moisture is the enemy of old wooden furniture.
- 6
Hostile area
We kept our voices down as we drove through enemy territory.
- Phraseenemy territory
an area controlled by the other side, or a place where you are not welcome
- 7
Workplace hostility
In that office, anyone with a new idea is treated like an enemy.
- 8
Perfectionism
Don't let perfection become the enemy of progress.
- Phraseperfection is the enemy of progress
trying to make something perfect can stop you from finishing it
See also
Forms and spellings
2 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- enemynoun
Forms
- enemiespluralnoun