anti

Everyday

1. Against; opposed to something ("They are anti the new road"). tree →
2. (prefix anti-) A word part meaning against or opposite, as in antisocial, antibiotic, anticlockwise. tree →
3. (informal) A person who is against something. tree →

In the lessons

Mostly met as a prefix in school words: anticlockwise (maths), antibiotic and antibodies (science), anti-bullying week. As a word on its own it is informal and means "against". Phrases: anti-bullying, anticlockwise, anti-slip, antifreeze.

Examples

• My dad is anti the idea of a phone before I am twelve. tree →
• Turn the dial anticlockwise to open it. tree →
• It is anti-bullying week at our school. tree →
• The doctor gave me an antibiotic for the infection. tree →
• Put the anti-slip mat in the bath. tree →
• Antifreeze stops the water in the car from freezing. tree →
• Mum is a bit anti fizzy drinks. tree →
• The shops were full of patent dragon poison and anti-dragon soap, and dragonproof curtains for the windows; and indeed, everything that could be done was done. tree →

Note

As a prefix it is sometimes joined with a hyphen (anti-bullying), sometimes not (antisocial). Pronounced AN-tee (UK) or AN-tie (US). Do not confuse anti- (against) with ante- (before: anteroom) or with "auntie" (aunt). In maths, anticlockwise (UK) = counterclockwise (US).