Rationale of the study
With over 6 million speakers globally, English has established itself as the leading international language Mastering English involves more than just understanding grammar; it also requires a grasp of lexicology, particularly the antonyms of polysemous words This knowledge is essential for learners to achieve effective communication.
Studying the antonyms of polysemantic words is essential due to their increasing significance in contemporary linguistics These antonyms are often ingrained in our mental lexicon from a young age, making them easy to learn and difficult to forget Understanding these relationships enhances our grasp of language and its complexities.
Furthermore, antonyms of polysemantic words which are popularly in our life make confusing with the learners.
Aims of the study
This study gives the overview of antonym and polysemy in English
The meanings of polysemantic words are explained more carefully in this study
The study analyses antonyms in the typical cases
A lot of exercises are given in order that the learner practise and enrich their vocabulary.
Scope of the study
This study explores the complexities of antonym polysemous words and offers guidance on selecting appropriate antonyms Additionally, it presents a comprehensive overview of English antonyms, including their definitions, key characteristics, and classifications, supported by illustrative examples.
In the main part, this study gives antonyms of a polysemantic word in order to use words exactly and appropriately
Polysemy is used commonly in English, however, the study pays attention to analyse the typical cases in order that the theory is made clear.
Methods of the study
This research primarily utilizes qualitative methods to gather relevant information from various books, dictionaries, and websites The collected knowledge is systematically organized into a coherent theoretical framework addressing antonyms and polysemy in English Additionally, typical polysemantic word groups are presented, along with explanations of their antonyms in different contexts.
With the difficulties I myself can not solve, I discussed with my teachers and friends and asked for their advice and instructions.
Development
With over 6 million speakers globally, English has established itself as the most significant international language Mastering English involves more than just understanding grammar; it also requires a grasp of lexicology, particularly the antonyms of polysemous words This knowledge is essential for learners aiming to achieve effective communication.
Studying the antonyms of polysemantic words is essential due to their increasing significance in contemporary linguistic research These opposites are often embedded in our mental lexicon from an early age, making them easy to learn and hard to forget.
Furthermore, antonyms of polysemantic words which are popularly in our life make confusing with the learners
This study gives the overview of antonym and polysemy in English
The meanings of polysemantic words are explained more carefully in this study
The study analyses antonyms in the typical cases
A lot of exercises are given in order that the learner practise and enrich their vocabulary
This study explores the complexities of antonym polysemantic words and offers guidance on selecting appropriate antonyms Additionally, it presents a comprehensive overview of English antonyms, including their definitions, key characteristics, and classifications, supplemented by illustrative examples.
In the main part, this study gives antonyms of a polysemantic word in order to use words exactly and appropriately
Polysemy is used commonly in English, however, the study pays attention to analyse the typical cases in order that the theory is made clear
This research primarily employs qualitative methods to gather relevant information from various books, dictionaries, and websites The collected knowledge is systematically organized to create a coherent theoretical framework on antonyms and polysemy in English Additionally, the study presents typical polysemous word groups and elucidates their antonyms in various contexts.
With the difficulties I myself can not solve, I discussed with my teachers and friends and asked for their advice and instructions
In order to help readers understand easily, this study is devided into three parts: part I - introduction : gives the background of the study It comprises five conponents:
5 Design of the study part II - development: includes three chapters:
Chapter I: Theoretical background: Provides the background to the study It consists of antonyms and polysemy
Chapter II: The antonyms of polysemantic words in English
Chapter III: Implication: gives some releated problems, suggested solutions and provides some exercises for practice
Part III: Conclusion: summarises the content of the whole study and suggests and ideas for further study part II: development
Theoretical background 1 Antonym in English
Definitions
In "Basic English Lexicology" (2005), Hoang Tat Truong defines antonyms as pairs of words, typically belonging to the same part of speech and exhibiting similar stylistic and distributional characteristics, that are used in conjunction to convey contradictory meanings.
Day – night Hot – cold Tie – untie
‚My only love sprung from my only hate too early seen unknow and known too late ‛
The article explores three pairs of antonyms: love vs hate, early vs late, and known vs unknown The pairs love vs hate and known vs unknown represent actions and are therefore classified as verbs, while early vs late serves as adjectives indicating time Love is defined as the opposite of hate, highlighting the contrast in affection, while late opposes early based on temporal context Similarly, known and unknown reflect differing levels of awareness, establishing a clear relationship between these antonyms.
Two sentences that express opposing viewpoints are inherently contradictory; if one statement is true, the other must be false When both sentences share the same subject but have predicates that are antonyms, they also exhibit mutual contradiction.
The television in on now The television is off now
Jack is a good boy Jack’s a bad boy
Bob loves football Bob hates football
Antonyms are pairs of lexemes, such as "on and off," "good and bad," and "love and hate," that share the same part of speech while conveying contrasting meanings These word pairs highlight the differences in meaning, illustrating how language can express opposing concepts effectively.
Besides, there is another simple defininion of antonym claiming that:
Antonyms are pairs of words that express opposing meanings, such as "hot" and "cold" or "up" and "down." A single word can have multiple antonyms based on its context; for instance, both "long" and "tall" can serve as antonyms for "short."
(www.en.vikipedia.org) For example:
She took a plate and gave me a clean one
In the example, there is a pair of antonym: take and give In the sentence, take means receive In terms of the contrary relation, take and give are antonyms
Furthermore, take is the polysemantic word; it has many meanings in which have many antonyms For example, take has three antonyms: give, put and bring
Chapter II explores how to identify antonyms for polysemantic words According to Hoang Tat Truong's definition, some words may appear to have opposite meanings but lack a contextual relationship, thus not qualifying as antonyms For instance, in the phrases "she is beautiful but lazy" and "he is rich but unhappy," the terms "beautiful" and "lazy," as well as "rich" and "unhappy," seem oppositional but are not true antonyms due to their lack of association In contrast, "late" and "early" are considered antonyms because they are contextually linked.
Oppositeness, while less prominent than synonymy in English vocabulary, plays a crucial role in its structure Many antonyms are formed using the negative particle "not," and nearly every word has one or more antonyms Similar to synonyms, antonyms are essential in the formation and use of idioms, highlighting their significance in the English language.
Backwards and forwards From first to last
Not only words, but set expresssions as well, can be grouped into antonymic pairs, for example: by accident >< on purpose
Conclusion, Antonym is a word to another word which holds a general or specific oppositing meaning, idea or concept and word may have different antonyms.
Classification of Antonyms
We can base on the meaning, the derivation and the part of speech to classify antonyms
Antonyms represent various forms of oppositeness in meaning, with four primary types identified by John Lyons: gradable antonyms, which allow for varying degrees of difference; contradictory or complementary antonyms, which present absolute opposites; relational or conversive antonyms, which reflect a relationship between two terms; and directional antonyms, which indicate opposing directions.
Graded antonyms are understood as antonyms which operate on a continuum, such often occur in binomial phrases with and: (blow) hot and cold, (search) high and low
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992) For example:
Gradable antonyms are pairs of words that express a more or less relationship rather than an either/or distinction This relationship is demonstrated through their ability to be compared, as these terms can take both comparative forms, such as "happier," and superlative forms, like "happiest."
My arm is longer than yours
I love a good book more than a good meal
One the other hand, because the adjectives are not mutually exclusive, they can be qualified by adverbial of degree e.g quite happy, extremely happy, fairly happy, ect
The meanings of terms are interdependent, as one meaning is defined in relation to another In contrary pairs, the semantic contrast is relative, often featuring intermediate terms For example, instead of simply categorizing individuals as rich or poor, we recognize a spectrum that includes terms like well-to-do, well-off, moderately wealthy, comfortably off, hard up, and poor.
Especially, the negation of one does not mean the assertion of the other ‚he is not rich‛ does not mean ‚he is poor‛
Hoang Tat Truong suggests that understanding antonyms can be enhanced by categorizing them into 'marked' and 'unmarked' members The unmarked member is more versatile and often encompasses the meanings of the marked member, indicating shared components in their meanings Thus, antonyms can be effectively analyzed through the lens of markedness.
How tall is he? (no implication, to ask his height and the asker don’t know that he is tall or short)
How short is he? (implication that he is short)
Beautiful and ugly are antonyms that describe contrasting appearances As gradable antonyms, they allow for varying degrees of comparison, such as stating someone is quite beautiful, rather ugly, or even more beautiful than another person.
Addition to, there are intermediate terms between beautiful and ugly:
Beautiful: pretty: good-looking: plain: ugly Moreover, we might say that:
How beautiful is she? (no implication, to ask her appearance and the asker don’t know that she is beautiful or ugly
How ugly is she? (implication that she is ugly)
Likely, these adjectives are gradable antonyms
Beautiful – ugly Easy – difficult Wide – narrow Increase – decrease Love – hate Fast – slow
Gradable antonyms are pairs of words that can be modified by comparative and superlative forms, allowing for varying degrees of meaning These antonyms can be qualified using adverbs of degree and feature intermediate terms that exist between the two extremes Additionally, they can be examined through the lens of markedness, highlighting the nuances in their usage.
Tom Mc Arthur gave the definition of complementary antonyms:
Complementary antonyms are antonyms which express an either or relationship, e.g dead or alive, male or female
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992) For example:
Shut – open Win – lose Permit – forbid
Antonyms represent opposing concepts; for instance, closing a window means it is no longer open Similarly, losing a game indicates that winning is not achieved Additionally, allowing someone's behavior signifies that it is not prohibited.
Complementary antonyms are pairs of words that represent opposing states, such as "asleep" and "awake." In this relationship, being asleep means one is not awake Similarly, "dead" and "alive" are complementary antonyms, where the state of being dead signifies the absence of life.
On – off Shut – open Permit – forbid True – false
In short, complementary antonyms are the antonyms involving two items that presuppose that the assertion of one is the negation of the order
According to Tom Mc Arthur, ‚The conversive antonym in which one describes a relationship between two objects and the other describes the same relationship when the two objects are reversed‛
(Tom Mc Arthur, ‚Antonym‛, The Oxford Companion to the English language, Oxford University Press, 1992) For example:
Antonyms convey conversive meanings, where each term reflects the opposite perspective of the other For instance, in the context of a transaction, the words "buy" and "sell" illustrate the same action from different viewpoints.
Ted bought the car from Henry Henry sold the car to Ted
In the example, bought is an antonym of sold in terms of the contractory relation in market
Similarily with nouns as husband and wife, a sentence may express the relationship in one of two conversive ways
Vicky is Karl’s wife Karl is Vicky’s husband
In the example, wife is an antonym of husband on the basic of the contrary relationship in family
Relational antonyms are pairs of adjectives that represent opposing concepts within a specific context For example, "teacher" and "student" are antonyms in the educational setting, highlighting their contrasting roles Similarly, "left" and "right" serve as antonyms, indicating opposing directions.
Teacher – student Left – right Speak – listen Above – below Before – after
In nutshell, relational antonyms are the antonyms which are opposite or contrasting in the order of participants and their roles
Directional antonyms are understood as: directional antonyms are the antonyms which are opposite in the directions
With the pair of antonyms ‘arrive- depart’, a sentence may mention to different and conversive way to each:
The 8-hour-train has departed the station and will have arrived at Ha Noi by 10.30
In the sentence, arrive is an antonym of depart in terms of the contractory direction
Similarily, these adjectives are directional antonyms (up is antonym of down, arrive is an antonym of depart, into is an antonym of out in term of the contractory direction):
Up – down Arrive – depart Into – out
To sum up, directional antonyms are antonyms which indicate the contractory direction
Hung (2006:99) classified antonyms into two main types: Root word antonyms and derivational antonyms
In the first place, it is neccessary to understand ‚root word antonyms are words completely different in sound- forms They are of different roots‛
She is old but her friend is young
-Give Take Mary gives 25$ for the boy and she takes his hat
In the example, the pairs of antonyms: Old – young, give – take are different in sound-forms and different roots
To sum up, root word antonyms are antonyms which are different in sound- forms and different roods
According to Hoang Tat Truong, derivational antonyms are words formed by derivation (words of the same roots)
(Hoang Tat Truong, 1993:77) For example:
The plane appeared in the sky, then suddenly disappered behind a cloud
(New vocabulary in use – Stuart Redman & Ellen Show)
In the sentence appear and disappear are antonyms in which appear is added dis prefix in order to creat its antonym So, they called derivational antonyms
Similarily, these adjectives are derivational antonyms:
Like – dislike Appear – disappear Useful – useless Logical – illogical
To sum up, Derivational antonyms are words formed by adding negative prefixes or suffixes
1.2.3 Based on the part of speech
Based on the part of speech, antonyms were divided into four types: antonymous nouns, antonymous verbs, antonymous adjectives, and, antonymous verbs
Antonymous nouns are antonyms which are typically found among nouns
In a time marked by both wisdom and folly, belief and skepticism coexisted, creating a contrast between light and darkness This era was characterized by a spring of hope amidst a winter of despair, where opportunities seemed boundless yet simultaneously nonexistent.
The bolded words are the antonyms; they are nouns in the part of speech Thus, they are called antonymous nouns
Antonymous nouns represent contrasting qualities, such as wisdom, which opposes foolishness, and light, which stands in stark contrast to darkness These pairs illustrate the inherent differences in their characteristics, highlighting the significance of their opposing meanings.
Wisdom – foolishness Light – darkness Hope – despair Everything – nothing
Antonymous verbs are antonyms which are typical found among verbs
I had to pack my suitcase very quickly, so when I unpacked at the hotel, most of my clothes looked terrible (1)
(New vocabulary in use – Stuart Redman & Ellen Show)
She took my plate and gave me a clean one (2)
The terms "pack" and "unpack," as well as "take" and "give," exemplify pairs of antonymous verbs that illustrate a contradictory relationship These verbs represent opposing actions within their respective contexts, highlighting their significance in understanding language dynamics.
Similarly, these pairs of antonyms are antonymous verbs (bring and take, live and die, open and close, weep and laugh are antonyms on the basis of relation )
Antonymous adjectives are antonyms which are typically found among adjectives
‚It was the best of time; it was the worst of time ‛ (1)
She is old but her friend is young (2)
In the example (1), (2) best and worst, old and young are antonyms Their functions in the sentences are adjectives Therefore, we call them antonymous adjectives
Antonymous adjectives play a crucial role in language, with pairs such as "long" and "short" representing opposing lengths, while "wide" and "narrow" illustrate contrasting widths These pairs enhance descriptive clarity and enrich communication by highlighting differences in dimensions.
Long – short Wide – narrow Rough – smooth Deep – shallow
Antonymous adverbs are antonyms which are typically found among adverbs
We consider the following examples:
Does he work fast or slow ?
But today English are playing very well and Scotland are playing badly ?
Antonymous adverbs, such as "fast" and "slow" or "badly" and "well," play a crucial role in sentence structure by providing contrasting meanings In the context of speed, "fast" serves as an antonym to "slow," while in terms of manner, "badly" opposes "well." These pairs enhance the clarity and depth of communication by illustrating opposing actions or qualities.
Polysemy in English
There are several definitions about polysemy
Polysemy, derived from the Greek words "polys" meaning "much" and "sema" meaning "meaning," refers to a lexical item that possesses multiple meanings In semantic analysis, it is defined as a term used to describe words that have a range of different interpretations.
According to Crystal (1980: 274), polysemy refers to a word with multiple related meanings However, the term "bank" in phrases like "river bank" and "bank of English" does not qualify as polysemy since these meanings are distinct In certain instances, the word "bank" can be homonymous, indicating that it represents two completely unrelated concepts.
Thus, Hoa gave the other definition of polysemantic word Polysemantic words refer to the words, which have several releted senses
The house is at the foot of the mountains
One of his shoes felt too tight for his foot
Foot here refers the bottom part of the mountains in the first sentence and the bottom part of the leg in the second
Similarily, mouth is a polysemantic word because it has related senses
Mouth: of the river Mouth: of an animal
The English word mouth refers first to the opening of the vocal cavity, but next to this refers to the point where a river joins the sea
One – meaning words (so called monosemic word) are very rare They are very often scientific terms, e.g., oxygen, moon walk, and, earthrise
Conclusion, Polysemy is the ambiguity of an individual word or phrase that can be used (in different contexts) to express two or more different meanings which is related
Polysemy has two types: radial polysemy and chain polysemy
Radial polysemy is defined that ‚all the transferred meanings are formed on the basis of one literal / direct meaning‛
The verb to get can mean take
The verb to get can mean become
The verb to get can mean have
The verb to get can mean understand
(www.absoluteastronomy.com/ topic/ polysemy-31k)
Similarily, table is radial polysemy
1 a thin flat piece of stone/ metal/with four legs
2 part of a machine tool on which work is operated
4 the people seated at the table
5 the food on the table
Chain polysemy are understood that: The second meaning is formed the basis of the first, the third meaning on the basis of the second and soon
He won’t be able to lift such a heavy suitcase He’s only nine years old (1) He’s been a heavy smoker and drinker all his adult life (2)
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
Heavy is a polysemantic word because it has the following senses
In the context (1), the first meaning of heavy is weigh
The term "heavy" in the context of chain polysemy denotes a secondary meaning derived from its primary definition Specifically, a "heavy smoker" refers to an individual who smokes significantly more than the average person and struggles to quit Therefore, the second meaning of "heavy" implies an amount that exceeds the norm.
Similarily, Head is a chain polysemy
Head: part of the body – a human being – a leader/ chief
The ball hit her on the head
In the sentence, the sense of head is the part of the body
There are forty heads in the meeting
In the sentence, the sense of head is human being
He is the head of my department
In the sentence, the sense of head is the leader
Conclusion, there are two types of polysemy: radial polysemy and chain polysemy.
Antonyms of polysemantic words 1 Antonyms of polysemantic nouns
Antonyms of loss
Loss is a polysemantic word; therefore, it has more than one sense And each of sense has an antonym, which is studied in the two following examples
Considering the following example, we can find the first sense and antonym of loss
The loss of this contract would be very serious (3.2.1)
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
In the context of contractual agreements, "loss" refers to the failure to retain something or someone, while "win" serves as its antonym, representing the successful acquisition or acceptance of a contract.
Moving the next sentence, we find the other sense or antonym of loss
The company operated at a loss last years
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
Loss occurs when a business's costs surpass its revenue, representing a financial deficit In contrast, profit is the positive outcome when earnings exceed expenses, highlighting the fundamental difference between these two financial terms.
To sum up, we might the pairs of antonyms: loss – win, loss – profit.
Antonyms of master
Master is a polysemantic noun because of its related senses and it has antonyms, which is showed in the following example
In the first example, we might find the first sense and antonym
The slaves feared their master (3.1.1)
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
In this context, a "master" refers to an individual who employs or oversees others, contrasting with the term "slave," which denotes a person subjected to the authority of another This master-slave dynamic highlights the hierarchical relationship inherent in such working arrangements.
In this context, the term "master" refers to a skilled worker, such as a craftsman or builder, who is capable of teaching others in their trade Conversely, the antonym of "master" in this scenario is "amateur," highlighting the distinction between expertise and lack of experience.
In the context of audio production, the term "master" refers to the original version from which copies are derived, contrasting with the term "copy." Unlike traditional antonyms, the opposite of master here is not "slave" or "amateur," but rather the concept of a duplicate This highlights the unique relationship between the master tape and its reproductions, emphasizing the importance of the original in the creative process.
To sum up, we might use the pairs of antonym: master – slave; master – amateur; master – copy.
Antonyms of polysemantic verbs
Polysemantic verbs play a significant role in the phenomenon of polysemy, as many verbs exhibit multiple meanings This article focuses on the analysis of polysemantic verbs, specifically examining the verbs "maintain," "melt," and "take."
Maintain is a polysemantic word, because, it has related senses and one of sense has an antonym, which is analysed in the following examples
The improvement in his health is being maintained
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of maintain in this context is to cause something to continue: to antonym of maintain which is quit, because of the contractory state of the improvement
However, in the next example, antonym of maintain is spoil
The house is large and difficult to maintain
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
Maintaining a property involves ensuring it remains in good condition or working order through regular checks and repairs In contrast, the antonym of maintain is spoil, highlighting the importance of upkeep in preserving the state of a home.
Yet, the antonym of maintain in the third example is not quit or spoil
He has always maintained that he was not guilty of the crime
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of antonym maintain in this context is to insist that something is the case Due to the attitude is different; neglect is antonym of maintain
To sum up, we might use the pairs of antonyms according to the context: maintain – quit, maintain – spoil, maintain – neglect
Melt has related senses because it is a polysemantic word; it has antonyms according to its sense, which is explained in the following examples
In the first example, we can find the first sense and antonym
The ice melted in the sun
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The term "melt" refers to the process of transforming a solid into a liquid through the application of heat In contrast to melting, the antonym is "freeze," which describes the process of turning a liquid into a solid, as seen in the case of ice.
Moving the next example, melt has the other sense and its antonym is not freeze
A sweet melts in the in the mouth
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of melt in this context is to become soft to dissolve As the opposite of state of sweet; harden is antonym of melt in this example
In the final example, there were the other sense and antonym of melt
The sun has melted the snow way
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
In this context, "smelt" refers to the process of making something disappear through smelting or dissolving, while "appear" serves as its antonym, highlighting the contrasting presence of snow.
To sum up, we might use the pairs of antonyms: melt – freeze, melt –harden, melt – appear
Take is a polysemantic word, it has many senses which are radial polysemy, and it has antonyms To prove this, we consider the following examples
She took my plate and gave me a clean one
In the context of example (2.1), the term "take" refers to receiving something from someone or grasping an object with one's hands It is important to note that "take" serves as an antonym to "give," highlighting their contradictory relationship.
However, take in the next sentence has the other antonym
He will take you to the party and bring you home on time
In the context of transportation, "take" refers to the act of carrying or accompanying someone or something from one location to another, without implying movement towards the speaker or listener Conversely, the antonym of "take" is "bring," which denotes movement towards the speaker or listener.
The next example show the other antonym of take
I took a ring out of his pocket and put on her finger
The sense of take in this context is to extract something out of the place Put is antonym of take in the sentence, because of the contractory on relation
To sum up, we might use the pairs of antonyms: take – give, take – bring, take
Antonyms of polysemantic adjectives
Polysemantic adjectives represent the highest quantity in antonyms, highlighting their significant role in linguistic studies Therefore, this section focuses on exploring the antonyms of polysemantic words.
Dull is polysemantic word so it has related senses and antonyms, which is showed in these following examples
The conference was deadly dull
Along life’s dullest, dreariest walk
The sense of dull which is in the example is to be lack of interest or excitement, boring Antonym of dull is interesting, in terms of the contractory characteristic
The next sentence gives the other antonym of dull
She is not bred so dull but she can learn
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of dull is slow of understanding; wanting readiness of apprehension Intelligent is the antonym of dull in this context, which base on the contractory ability
The term "dull" can refer to a lack of interest or intelligence, as well as describe colors that are not bright or clear When a color, such as red or yellow, is described as dull, it signifies that it is not vivid, obscure, or dim In this context, "bright" serves as the antonym of "dull," highlighting the contrasting degrees of color vibrancy.
Dull in the next sentence has the other sense and antonym
So dull a devil to forget the loss
Dull describes the feeing of a devil
The devil represents a lack of emotion, embodying an insensitivity to human feelings such as love, happiness, and sadness When someone is unable to experience joy or sorrow, they become unfeeling and dull In contrast, the antonym of this state is being lively, which signifies a full range of emotional experiences.
The following example, antonym of dull is sharp
The scythe is dull = the scythe is not keen in edge or point; lacking sharpness
Basing on the contractory point, we can find its antonym which is sharp
In this example, we explore the antonym of "dull." When someone describes the weather as dull, they refer to it as cloudy or unclear Thus, saying "the weather is dull" essentially means "the weather is not clear."
In terms of the contractory appear of the cloud, antonym of dull is clear
In summary, we may use the pairs of antonyms: dull – interesting, dull intelligent, dull – bright, dull – lively, dull – sharp, dull – clear
Dry is a polysemantic word, because it has many related sense, especially, it has more than one antonym, which is analysed carefully in the following these examples
Once the paint is dry, apply a coat of the red ochre emulsion paint
(Collins Co build English Dictionary for Advanced Learners 4th edition published in 2003)
Dryness refers to the absence of moisture, meaning that something described as dry does not contain water or dampness It stands in contrast to wet, making dry the antonym of wet in terms of their opposing properties.
On the other hand, antonym of dry is not wet in the next example
(Collins Co builds English Dictionary for Advanced Learners 4th edition published in 2003)
In the context of weather, "dry" refers to a period with little to no rainfall, indicating significantly lower precipitation than average Conversely, "wet" serves as the antonym of "dry," highlighting the contrasting levels of moisture in the atmosphere.
Dry sherry and dry white wine are characterized by their lack of sweetness, offering a crisp and refreshing taste In this context, "dry" serves as an antonym to "sweet," highlighting the contrasting qualities of these beverages.
Moreover, when using a hot, dry climate where the sun is shining all the time, antonym of dry in this case is wet because of the contractory on property
Dry skin or hair refers to a lack of oiliness and softness compared to normal levels, with greasy serving as the antonym.
To sum up, we can use one the paint is wet; wet weather; a crisp sweet white wine; a sweet sherry; wet climate; or, your skin or hair is greasy
We consider the senses and the antonyms of hard in the following example For example:
It was a hard exam and the final question was really hard – it was a hard nut to crack! (1.4.1)
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The term "hard" in the phrase "a hard exam" signifies something that is difficult to accomplish, with "easy" serving as its antonym Conversely, in the expression "a hard nut to crack," "hard" does not have a direct opposite, as it conveys the idea of a challenging problem or task that is tough to solve.
Considering the second example, we can find the other sense and antonym of hard
It’s been a long hard day and I’ve been working very hard
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The term "hard" in this context refers to a level of effort that can lead to exhaustion, particularly in physical tasks Conversely, the opposite of "hard" in this scenario is "easy," highlighting the contrasting degrees of effort involved.
However, hard in the following sentence has the different antonym
They had a hard life and worked through hard times We had no hard evidence that they had used hard drugs
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The term "hard" in phrases like "hard life" and "hard times" signifies challenges and difficulties, contrasting with feelings of ease and comfort In this context, "easy" serves as the antonym of "hard." Conversely, in the context of "hard drugs," the term refers to substances that are distilled rather than fermented, indicating a higher potency and alcohol content Here, "soft" is the antonym of "hard," highlighting the distinction in the quality of drugs.
In summary, we often encounter the concept of ease in various aspects of life, such as simple exams, straightforward questions, and relaxed days Phrases like "easy life" and "easy times" reflect this notion, alongside references to soft drugs and circumstantial evidence However, the idiom "a hard nut to crack" highlights challenges, illustrating that there is no opposite expression to convey the difficulty of certain tasks.
Heavy is a polysemantic word, we analysis its senses
He won’t be able to lift such a heavy suitcase He’s only nine years old (1.1.1)
(Learning English/ BBC World Service)
The sense of heavy in the sentence (1.1.1) is weigh a lot, basing on the contractory on weigh, light is antonym of heavy
Especially, light is also a polysemantic word, therefore, some senses of light is opposite some senses of heavy
He’s been a heavy smoker and drinker all his adult life (1.1.2)
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
In sentence (1.2), "heavy" signifies an intensity that exceeds the norm, contrasting with the frequency of cigarette or wine consumption, where "light" serves as its antonym.
Similarly, we can find the sense and antonym of heavy
It was a very heavy meal – far too much meat and not enough vegetables or salads
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The sense of heavy which in the sentence is difficult to digest, basing on the digestion is difficult or easy, we can find antonym of heavy is light
However, the antonym of heavy which is in the sentence is not light
She had a very heavy cold and her breathing was heavy to breathe
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The sense of heavy which is in the sentence is serious, antonym of heavy is slight, because, the contractory on the seriousness or no seriousness of the cold
Nevertheless, the antonym of heavy which is in the sentence is not slight For example:
I’ve had a really heavy week – I’ve got a really heavy timetable this term
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The sense of heavy which is in the sentence is full of activities or busy According to opposite of the number of activities, antonym of heavy is light
We consider the last example:
The First World War yielded much heavier casualties than had ever been known before
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The sense of heavy is full of serious According to the contractory of degree of seriousness of casualty, we find the antonym of heavy in light
In summary, while we commonly use the term "light" to describe suitcases, meals, weeks, timetables, and casualties, it is less frequent to hear phrases like "light smoker" or "light drinker." Additionally, "light cold" is rarely used; instead, we typically refer to it as a "slight cold," although "light" can be appropriately used to describe someone's breathing Antonyms are words that convey opposite meanings.
Severe is a polysemantic word; because of its senses and it has antonyms
The severe weather/severe winter meant that hundreds of schools had to be closed
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
In the sentence, the sense of severe is very bad; intense Mild is antonym of severe, because of the opposite about the property of the weather or the winter
Moving to the next example, we find that the sense of severe is not identical in the sentence; moreover, its antonym is not mild
The heavy rain caused severe damage to crops and, later on, a severe shortage of food
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The term "severe" conveys a strong negative connotation in phrases like "severe damage," indicating a very bad situation, while in "severe shortage," it reflects a serious condition In contrast, the antonym of "severe" in these contexts is "slight," highlighting the varying degrees of impact in different scenarios.
In the final sentence, with the difference of the sense, severe has another antonym
The magistrate imposed severe penalties – they were severely punished
(BBC World Service/ Learning English.com)
The sense of severe which is in the sentence is unsparing and uncompromising Due to the property is different; the antonym of severe in this case is lenient
In conclusion, we would talk about mild weather and mild winters, slight damage and slight shortages, lenient penalties
Short is a polysemantic word, so, it has senses and antonyms
Although my parents are tall, I am short
The coat is rather short in the sleeves
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
Short is used to refer to a person’s height Basing on the contrary height of person, we find tall is antonym of short
However, when we refer the height of things e.g short fence, short wall we have antonyms short and high basing on the contractory on the height of things
How long is the River Nile?
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of long in this context is measuring a great or specified amount from end to end Basing on the contractory measure; antonym of short is long
However, antonym of short with the other sense is not long, tall, or, high For example:
All his observations were short and to the point
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of short in this context is to express in few words Wordy is antonym of short because of the contractory quantity
To find antonyms of short, consider its sense in the context
She was rather short with him, when he asked for help
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
Antonyms of polysemantic adverbs
Although adverbs which are polysemantic adverb and antonyms are few, they are analyzed in this study The cases of right are showed in the two following examples
In the first example, the first sense and antonym of right are found
He looked neither right nor left
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of right in this context is to the right side In terms of the contractory direction, the antonym of right is left
Moving the next example, right has the other sense and antonym
Have I guessed right or wrong?
(English-English-Vietnamese Dictionary- nxb Van Hoa Thong Tin)
The sense of right in this context is correctly Wrong is the antonym of right because of the contrary property
To sum up, we might use the pairs of antonyms: right – left, right – wrong chapter III: Implication
Some related problems
When Vietnamese learners use antonym, they usually make the common mistakes
One common mistake learners make is memorizing antonyms without considering their context This can lead to confusion, as many polysemantic words have multiple antonyms For instance, the word "take" can have different opposites such as "put," "bring," and "give," depending on the situation To communicate effectively, it's crucial for learners to select the appropriate antonym based on the context in which it is used.
She give to the boy $12 and take his hat
Mary takes a ball then put it in right place
He will take you to the party and bring you home on time
According to Hung (2006: 99), the most common mistake made by
Vietnamese learners often struggle with antonyms, mistakenly contrasting them with their missing counterparts For instance, while "short" is commonly understood as the opposite of "long," it can also be synonymous with "tall" in specific contexts This confusion highlights the challenges faced by learners in accurately using antonyms in the English language.
That was one more reason she didn't look forward to Cathy's visit short or long
Cathy's visit was unwelcome for another reason, regardless of her height Hoang Tat Truong explains that semantic polarity relies on shared semantic components in meaning For instance, while "ashamed" conveys feelings of unhappiness due to wrongdoing, its antonym "proud" reflects positive emotions of happiness and confidence, both rooted in moral values.
Some suggested solutions
With these mistakes, the learners should take consideration to as well situation of the sentences to use antonyms in a right way
The antonym of description adjectives is significant in understanding semantic relationships, as it highlights the markedness of opposing members According to Princeton WordNet, the definitions of "true" and "false" are intertwined, with "true" denoting consistency with reality and "false" indicating a lack of accordance with it When exploring antonyms, it is crucial to consider cycles where each term is defined through the other Additionally, the semantic structure of adjectives is influenced by the nouns they modify, necessitating an examination of these nouns to fully grasp the meanings of adjectives and their antonyms.
Moreover, antonym is in euphemism Hoang Tat Truong said that: ‚Many antonyms are explained by means of the negative particle: clean –not dirty, shallow
– not deep syntactic negation by means of the particle not is weaker than the lexical antonym"
I am sorry to inform you that we are not at all satisfied with your sister (1) We are very much dissatisfied with her (2) (Ch Dickens)
Negation can be intensified with phrases like "at all," but its impact varies between sentences For instance, sentence (1) demonstrates a weaker negation compared to sentence (2), which employs a negative prefix to enhance its meaning This suggests that lexical antonymy provides a stronger contrast than simple negation Additionally, euphemisms serve as valuable tools to convey unpleasant or offensive information gently, helping to avoid shocking the audience By using euphemisms, we can communicate sensitive topics more delicately, ensuring that our message is received without causing distress.
Therefore, not only synonym but also antonym (the negation) is used in euphemism
Hoang Tat Truong suggests that we often focus solely on the extremes of a scale, and when we describe something as "not bad," we are essentially using litotes to imply that it is good.
For example: The poem is not good doesn’t mean the poem is bad
The optional nature of negation with antonyms suggests that stating a poem is "not good" does not necessarily imply it is outright bad; instead, it reflects a nuanced perspective.
Between beautiful and ugly, there are various intermediary terms such as pretty, good-looking, and plain To avoid directly labeling someone as ugly, you can use negation, allowing the listener to infer the nuances that exist between beauty and unattractiveness.
When we describe someone as not beautiful, it often leads the listener to envision them as plain, good-looking, or even pretty, rather than simply labeling them as ugly.
In discussions about socioeconomic status, it's common to use intermediary terms that bridge the gap between rich and poor These include "hard up" for those struggling financially, "comfortably off" for those with a decent income, and "wealthy" for individuals with substantial assets Euphemisms often come into play; for instance, instead of directly stating someone is poor, one might say they are "not rich," which softens the impact of the term This nuanced language helps convey financial situations while maintaining sensitivity.
Therefore, the listener images someone who is hard up, comfortably off, wealthy, moderately or well-to-do
To sum up, besides using synonym in euphemism, we can use the negation, thus, your style becomes richer and richer
3 Student can apply the theory to do the exercises
Students will learn to identify parts of speech using context clues and master vocabulary words through exercises focused on antonyms They will read words in context to better connect meanings and apply vocabulary in practical situations Additionally, students will have opportunities to review and deepen their understanding of these words, ensuring they achieve mastery.
Read these sentences and answer these questions
1 The room was not decorated; rather it appeared to be very plain a What might plain mean? b Which word is antonym of plain?
2 We had a partial view of the stage, so we changed seats a Does partial have a smaller word in it? b Which word is an antonym for partial?
Using the underlined antonym clues, choose the best definition for the word in bold print Your instructor will tell you whether to write your answers in your book
1 In contrast to her normally hopeful nature, Annie grew more pessimistic about her career choice after each test in Organic Chemistry I
Pessimistic means a characterized by a hopeful outlook b cheerful in daily work c annoying d characterized by a negative outlook
2 Obviously very different, the first brother was outgoing and loquacious, but the second was shy and silent
Loquacious means a wise b shy c angry d talkative
3 He presented the image of a prudent man; however, Keith was really a reckless and careless person who rarely thought about what would be sensible
Prudent means a careful b careless c reckless d foolish
4 Arnold was arrogant when it came to his ideas; on the other hand, his colleague was humble, seeking suggestions from others and giving credit to his coworkers
Arrogant means a humble b fair c conceited d shy
5 Sung was fascinated with the lectures and worked hard on his homework, unlike his classmate Ami, who seemed indifferent to everything, rarely participated in group discussions, and showed little interest in the readings
Indifferent means a taking chances b unresponsive and uninterested c working equally but differently d happening at the same time
6 The novels of Walter Mosely, Stephen King, James Patterson, and David
Baldacci frequently contrast sinister characters who must be apprehended and good, moral characters who ultimately win
Sinister means a an unmarried woman b working alone c seeking forgiveness d evil
7 Riggs was a novice at home construction, but he studied and practiced with several experts, so he was confident that his final product would be an excellent one
Novice means a a show-off b an expert c a construction worker d a beginner
8 When Alicia parked her car in the morning, she was unconcerned about her surroundings, yet at night, she became wary as she proceeded to the dark, isolated lot
Wary means a tired b cautious c thin and awkward d careless
9 Angela was a compliant daughter, not like her brother Ben, who stubbornly challenged his parents at every opportunity
Compliant means a stubborn b obedient c challenging d talented
10 Henry is always amiable, unlike his work colleagues, who are unfriendly and quarrel frequently
Amiable means a friendly and good-natured b socially uncomfortable in new surroundings c unfriendly and difficult to work with d afraid
In each sentence, identify the underlined word and select its antonym based on the context provided Utilize a dictionary or thesaurus if needed to ensure accuracy Compile your findings into a coherent paragraph that reflects the original meaning while adhering to SEO best practices.
1 Our investigation will reveal the truth! a conceal b expose c inspect d announce
2 There are many ways to build a house a some b few c numerous d bad
3 That car is too expensive for our budget a inexpensive b costly c priced d small
4 The teacher read us a very entertaining book a fictional b factual c silly d boring
5 Sunglasses will only hinder your ability to see at night a accept b describe c equal d help
6 That barbell is light enough for a two year old to lift! a dark b serious c harsh d heavy
7 The new governor will free the innocent prisoner a costly b imprison c imprisoned d release
8 My parents are hoping that I’ll do the right thing a left b prohibition c proper d wrong
Exercises
Lexicology is crucial in English language education, particularly as students' proficiency increases, necessitating a deeper understanding of lexicology, especially regarding antonyms of polysemantic words This study focuses on antonyms and is structured into three main sections: the first section defines and classifies antonyms and polysemy; the second section delves into the core development of the thesis; and the final section presents the conclusion.
This graduation paper represents my initial foray into language research, acknowledging that time constraints and limited expertise may lead to mistakes My aim is to enhance learners' understanding of antonyms and polysemy The topic of "Antonyms of Polysemantic Words" is intriguing, suggesting that future studies should explore additional case studies of various words.
‚Discriminating adjective senses with modified nouns‛
Conclusion
Lexicology is essential in English language teaching and learning, particularly as students' proficiency increases, necessitating a deeper understanding of antonyms, especially those related to polysemantic words This study on antonyms is structured into three main sections: the first section defines and classifies antonyms and polysemy; the second section presents the core development of the thesis; and the final section provides a conclusion.
This graduation paper marks my initial foray into language research, and due to time constraints and limited expertise, some mistakes are inevitable I aim for this work to enhance learners' understanding of antonyms and polysemy The topic of "Antonyms of Polysemantic Words" is intriguing, warranting further exploration of additional case studies involving other words.
‚Discriminating adjective senses with modified nouns‛