Hostile

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Hostile

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

adjective

Pronunciation

HOS-tyle  /ˈhɒstaɪl/

Definition

Showing or feeling opposition or dislike; unfriendly and aggressive; of or belonging to a military enemy; (of an environment or conditions) difficult to survive in; (of a takeover bid) opposed by the management of the target company.

Plain meaning

Hostile means unfriendly, aggressive, or strongly opposed to something. A hostile crowd makes you feel unwelcome; a hostile environment is harsh and hard to survive in; a hostile takeover is a company acquisition that the target company's management does not want. The word applies to people, conditions, and military situations alike.

Register

Formal to neutral. Hostile is used in military, legal, business, and everyday contexts. It is stronger than unfriendly — it implies active opposition or danger, not merely coldness.