First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1hate
noun, often attributive \ˈhāt\
: a very strong feeling of dislike
Full Definition of HATE
1
a : intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury b : extreme dislike or antipathy : loathing <had a great hate of hard work>
2
: an object of hatred <a generation whose finest hate had been big business — F. L. Paxson>
See hate defined for English-language learners
See hate defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of HATE
Middle English, from Old English hete; akin to Old High German haz hate, Greek kēdos care
Related to HATE
- Synonyms
- abhorrence, abomination, detestation, execration, hatred, loathing
2hate
verb
: to dislike (someone) very strongly : to feel hate for (someone)
: to dislike (something) very strongly : to find (something) very unpleasant
hat·edhat·ing
Full Definition of HATE
transitive verb
1
: to feel extreme enmity toward <hates his country's enemies>
2
: to have a strong aversion to : find very distasteful <hated to have to meet strangers> <hate hypocrisy>
intransitive verb
: to express or feel extreme enmity or active hostility
— hat·er noun
— hate one's guts
: to hate someone with great intensity
See hate defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of HATE
before 12th century
Related to HATE
Synonym Discussion of HATE
hate, detest, abhor, abominate, loathe mean to feel strong aversion or intense dislike for. hate implies an emotional aversion often coupled with enmity or malice <hated the enemy with a passion>. detest suggests violent antipathy <detests cowards>. abhor implies a deep often shuddering repugnance <a crime abhorred by all>. abominate suggests strong detestation and often moral condemnation <abominates all forms of violence>. loathe implies utter disgust and intolerance <loathed the mere sight of them>.
HATED Defined for Kids
1hate
noun \ˈhāt\
Definition of HATE for Kids
: deep and bitter dislike
2hate
verb
hat·edhat·ing
Definition of HATE for Kids
: to feel great dislike toward
— hate someone's guts
: to hate someone very much
Learn More About HATE
Browse
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up hate? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).