Did you know?
Click any word in a definition or example to find the entry for that word
hostility
- definition
What are red words?
90% of the time, speakers of English use just 7,500 words in speech and writing.These words appear in red, and are graded with stars. One-star words are frequent, two-star words are morefrequent, and three-star words are the most frequent.
Thesaurus
The thesaurus of synonyms and related words is fully integrated into the dictionary entries. Click on the T button in an entry to review the synonyms and related words for that meaning.
more
/hɒˈstɪləti/ 
| singular | hostility |
| plural | hostilities |
- 1[uncountable] opposition to somethinghostility to/towards:
There is always some hostility to new technology.
- 2[uncountable] unfriendly or threatening behaviour or feelings towards someone
They were greeted with suspicion and hostility at first.
hostility between:There is no hostility between the staff and pupils.
hostility to/toward:I found it hard to handle people’s hostility towards me.
- 3
hostilities
[plural] formal fighting between enemies in a warcessation of hostilities (=an end to the fighting):The UN is demanding an immediate cessation of hostilities.
the outbreak of hostilities (=the start of fighting):Anti-war demonstrations continued after the outbreak of hostilities.
hostility between:the likelihood of renewed hostilities between the two countries
This is the British English definition of hostility. View American English definition of hostility.
Change your default dictionary and thesaurus to American English.
showmance
a romantic relationship between two members of the cast of a play, film or television series
BuzzWord ArticleMore BuzzWords
BuzzWord archive
More submissions
view entriesBlog
A must for anyone with an interest in the changing face of language. The Macmillan Dictionary blog explores English as it is spoken around the world today.
global English and language change from our blog