Contronyms (or contranyms) are words that have two contradictory meanings. They are also know as auto-antonyms which comes from the Greek roots ‘auto’ (self), ‘anti’ (against) and ‘onym’ (name) – literally meaning a word that is the opposite of itself. They have also been called Janus words (after the two-faced Greek mythical figure).
Most often these contradictory meanings have arisen from slang or their frequent use in sarcasm.
Activities
- Match the contronyms to their contradictory meanings.
- Write two sentences demonstrating two different meanings. For an extra challenge, use the word twice in one sentence showing the two different meanings.
- Alternatively, illustrate the two meanings of the word.
| Contronym | Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 |
| bolt | Heading to a destination | Remove fine particles |
| bound | Sprinkle with fine particles | Firmly fixed or attached |
| dust | Secure with a bar | To boycott |
| fast | Remaining | Flee |
| left | To approve | Wear away |
| sanction | Withstand | Departing |
| weather | Quick | Restrained from moving |
| finished | Visible (as in stars) | A disadvantage |
| handicap | An advantage | Ended or destroyed |
| out | Stop from doing | Invisible (as in lights) |
| refrain | Completed | To remove a covering |
| skin | Particular type | To start up |
| variety | Superior quality | Repeating |
| wind up | A covering | Satisfactory or acceptable |
| fine | To end | Many types |
- Language is constantly chosen. Have students work together to think of recently developed contronyms.
| Contronym | Meaning 1 | Meaning 2 |
| sick | ||
| bad | ||