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animus

noun
SayAN-i-mus/ˈæ.nɪ.məs/

4 meanings of animus

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  1. 1
    ill willnoununcountable
    A feeling of strong dislike toward someone, often wanting things to go badly for them.

    There was real animus between the two neighbors after the fight over the fence.

    She tried hard not to show her animus against her old boss.

    UsageMost often animus against or toward someone. In everyday talk people often say bad blood.

    Similarhostility, animosity, enmity, antipathy, rancor

    Oppositegoodwill

  2. 2
    intention (law)noununcountable
    In law, the intention or reason behind what a person or company does.

    The judge had to decide what the man's animus was when he moved to Florida.

    To prove theft, the lawyers had to show that her animus was to keep the money.

    Similarintention, intent, motive

    Note
  3. 3
    male side (psychology)noununcountable
    In Jung's ideas about the mind, the male side of a woman's mind and personality.

    Her therapist said the bossy man who kept appearing in her dreams was her animus.

    Getting to know her animus helped her feel more confident at work.

    UsageMostly the animus or her animus.

    Note
  4. 4
    basic instinctsnoununcountable
    The basic drives and instincts that guide what a person does.

    Fear, not greed, was the real animus behind his choices.

    A simple wish to be liked was the animus behind everything she did.

    Similarmotivation, drive, impulse, motive

    Note

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Origin

From the Latin word animus, meaning "mind" or "spirit". It comes from an old root meaning "to breathe".

Checked 30 Oct 2026 · 3 facts