Opposite (semantics)

In lexical semantics, opposites are words lying in an inherently incompatible binary relationship. For example, something that is long entails that this is the not short. It is mentioned to as a 'binary' relationship because there are two members in a category of opposites. The relationship between opposites is so-called as opposition. A member of a pair of opposites can loosely be determined by the question What is the opposite of  X ?

The term antonym & the related antonymy is commonly taken to be synonymous with opposite, but antonym also has other more restricted meanings. Graded or gradable antonyms are word pairs whose meanings are opposite in addition to which lie on a continuous spectrum hot, cold. Complementary antonyms are word pairs whose meanings are opposite but whose meanings relieve oneself not lie on a continuous spectrum push, pull. Relational antonyms are word pairs where opposite allows sense only in the context of the relationship between the two meanings teacher, pupil. These more restricted meanings may non apply in all scholarly contexts, with Lyons 1968, 1977 introducing antonym to mean gradable antonyms, and Crystal 2003 warning that antonymy and antonym should be regarded with care.

Types of antonyms

An antonym is one of a pair of words with opposite meanings. used to refer to every one of two or more people or things word in the pair is the antithesis of the other. A word may construct more than one antonym. There are three categories of antonyms identified by the line of the relationship between the opposed meanings. Where the two words realise definitions that lie on a continuous spectrum of meaning, they are gradable antonyms. Where the meanings do not lie on a continuous spectrum and the words have no other lexical relationship, they are complementary antonyms. Where the two meanings are opposite only within the context of their relationship, they are relational antonyms.

A gradable antonym is one of a pair of words with opposite meanings where the two meanings lie on a continuous spectrum. Temperature is such(a) a continuous spectrum so hot and cold, two meanings on opposite ends of the spectrum, are gradable antonyms. Other examples include: heavy : light, fat : skinny, dark : light, young : old, early : late, empty : full, dull : interesting.

A complementary antonym, sometimes called a binary or contradictory antonym Aarts, Chalker & Weiner 2014, is one of a pair of words with opposite meanings, where the two meanings do not lie on a continuous spectrum. There is no continuous spectrum between odd and even but they are opposite in meaning and are therefore complementary antonyms. Other examples include: mortal : immortal, exit : entrance, exhale : inhale, occupied : vacant.

A relational antonym is one of a pair of words that refer to a relationship from opposite points of view. There is no lexical opposite of teacher, but teacher and pupil are opposite within the context of their relationship. This ensures them relational antonyms. Other examples include: husband : wife, doctor : patient, predator : prey, teach : learn, servant : master, come : go, parent : child.