DictionaryAI

hate

HAYT/heɪt/

Verbhates, hating, hated

Noun pluralhates (some meanings)

7 meanings of hate

Practice

  1. 1
    dislike stronglyverbtransitive
    To dislike someone or something very much.

    Like the strong 'yuck!' feeling you get from a food you really can't stand.

    I hate spiders and would rather avoid them.

    She hates loud parties that go on all night.

    UsageSay hate waiting or hate to wait, and I hate it when ...

    Oppositelove, like, adore

  2. 2
    the feelingnoununcountable
    A very strong feeling of dislike for someone or something.

    Like a cold, hard feeling that is the opposite of love.

    His eyes were full of hate.

    There is far too much hate in the world today.

    UsageUsually no a: full of hate.

    Similarhatred, hostility, loathing, animosity, enmity

    Oppositelove, affection, goodwill

  3. 3
    verbtransitive
    To feel sorry or not want to do something or have something happen, often said politely before bad news or a request.

    I hate to bother you, but could you move your car a little?

    We'd hate for anyone to miss the bus, so please be here by eight.

    UsageSay I hate to say it, but ... before bad news.

    Similarregret

    Note
  4. 4
    bigotrynounmetonymicallyuncountable
    Strong unfair dislike of people because of their race, religion, or group.

    Like a wall built to keep out anyone who seems different.

    Some people online spread hate against others because of their religion.

    Signs full of hate against Black families were found near the school.

    UsageOften in hate crime and hate speech.

    Similarbigotry, prejudice, intolerance, hatred

    Oppositetolerance, acceptance

    Note
  5. 5
    online abusenouncolloquialmetonymicallyuncountable
    Mean or rude comments sent to someone, often on the internet.

    Like a pile of nasty notes left for someone who did nothing wrong.

    She got so much hate online that she left the app.

    Please don't send hate to people you disagree with.

    UsageSay get a lot of hate.

    Similarabuse, vitriol, hostility, flak, trolling

    Oppositesupport, praise, love

    Note

Less common meanings

  1. 6
    put downverbslangintransitive
    As hate on: to criticize someone or something meanly or unfairly, sometimes out of jealousy.

    Like kids teasing someone just for getting a good grade.

    People always hate on anyone who becomes successful.

    Don't hate on her just because she won.

    Similardiss, knock, trash, bash

    Oppositepraise, support

    Note
  2. 7
    disliked thingnouncountable
    A person or thing that someone really cannot stand.

    Like the one food you always push to the edge of your plate.

    Slow internet is my number one hate.

    Of all the chores, ironing is her biggest hate.

    UsageOften in pet hate, meaning something that annoys you. Another name for this is pet peeve.

    Similarbugbear, peeve, aversion, dislike, bane

    Oppositelove, like

    Note

Practice

Can you tell the meanings of hate apart? Answer 3 quick questions from this page, or write your own sentence and AI will check it.

Origin

From Old English, related to older Germanic words for strong feeling. The word for the feeling and the word for the action share the same root.

Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts