WordGarden.iohate
A2Pronunciation
UK
- /hˈeɪt/
US
- /ˈheɪt/
Meanings
Verb
to feel intense dislike or hostility toward someone or something
to be reluctant or sorry to do something
Noun
intense dislike or hostility
hostility or prejudice directed at an identity group
Beyond the definition
Hate is not just disliking something. It is a very strong feeling of aversion or hostility. You might hate the taste of olives, but that is quite different from hating injustice. This feeling can be aimed at things (like a broken washing machine), ideas (like cruelty), or people, though feeling this way toward others is rarely healthy.
It often shows a strong emotional reaction and is common in dramatic situations, like stories about revenge or arguments filled with deep anger. We might dislike waiting in line, but saying we hate it adds much more force. Sometimes, "hate" is used playfully to stress annoyance or preference ("I hate Mondays!"), but its core meaning is still serious and heavy.
Hate is a deeply negative emotion marked by intense dislike, aversion, or hostility toward someone or something. It goes far beyond simple disapproval. It is a strong feeling that can appear in many ways, from quiet resentment to open hostility and even violence.
Historically, the word "hate" comes from Old English roots meaning "to be hostile." That sense of opposition is still at the center of its meaning. You might hate a habit someone has, like chewing loudly, or hate an ideology that clashes with your values. It can be aimed at abstract things like war or poverty, as well as everyday things like spiders or traffic jams.
Still, it is important to tell the difference between strong dislike and real hatred. Disliking something is a normal part of life, but hating something carries a level of intensity that can become destructive. Philosophers and psychologists have long discussed where hate comes from and what it does, noting that it can harm both the person who feels it and the person it is aimed at.
The word "hate" is also often used in an exaggerated way in everyday speech ("I hate doing laundry!"), but even these casual uses point to the power of the feeling. In literature and art, hate often drives conflict and drama and shows the darker side of human nature. From tragic figures in classic theater to characters in modern thrillers, stories about hatred often reveal its complexity and its damaging effects.
Examples
- 1
Food preferences
My brother hates spicy food.
- 2
Changed feelings
They hated each other at first, but now they're good friends.
- 3
Annoying delays
I hate waiting in long lines.
- 4
Interruptions
She hates to be interrupted when she's reading.
More examplesFewer examples
- 5
Annoying behavior
I hate it when people talk during a movie.
- Patternhate it when + clause
feel very annoyed by something that happens
- 6
Self-blame
He hated himself for missing his daughter's school play.
- 7
Unfair treatment
She hates being treated like a child.
- 8
Reluctant criticism
I hate to say it, but your plan probably won't work.
- PhraseI hate to say it, but ...
I do not want to say something unpleasant
- 9
Online hostility
There was a lot of hate online after the game.
See also
Forms and spellings
4 forms open this card.
Main spelling
- hatenounverb
Forms
- hatedpast tenseverbnoun
- hatesverbnoun
- hating-ing formverbnoun