Synonyms & Antonyms
English Language: KS3, topic 3.1.8
Synonyms
Synonyms are words which have the same (or very similar) meanings to each other.
Origin of the word 'synonym'
- 'Syn' means with.
- 'onym' means name or word.
- So 'synonym' literally means ‘with the word’ – words that go with or are like the original meaning.
Example 1
- Happy and cheerful are synonyms.
Example 2
- Eager and keen are synonyms.
Example 3
- Achieve and accomplish are synonyms.
Antonyms
Two words are antonyms if they have the opposite meaning.
Origin of the word 'antonym'
- 'Ant' means the opposite.
- 'onym' means name or word.
- So 'antonym' literally means ‘opposite of the word’ – words that have opposite meanings.
Example 1
- Strong and weak are antonyms.
Example 2
- Clean and dirty are antonyms.
Example 3
- Youngest and oldest are antonyms.
Test yourself on Synonyms & Antonyms
Which synonym for happy fits best in this sentence?
Virat was ___ that he won the match.Which synonym for famous fits best in this sentence?
Priyanka Chopra is an extremely _______ actress.Which of these pairs of words are synonyms?
Which of these pairs of words are antonyms?
Which of these words is the antonym for expensive?