Antonym flashcards

Print A4 at actual size. Cut along each card's outer border. Fold along the dotted middle line, with the words facing out. The prompt is on one side and the answer is on the other.

The full deck is below, with the same answers as the practice and PDF. Choose a word or fact to read its explanation.

1. Give a word with the opposite meaning to hot.

   cold

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

2. Give a word with the opposite meaning to big.

   small

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

3. Give a word with the opposite meaning to fast.

   slow

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

4. Give a word with the opposite meaning to light in "a light room".

   dark

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

5. Give a word with the opposite meaning to happy.

   sad

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

6. Give a word with the opposite meaning to early.

   late

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

7. Give a word with the opposite meaning to full.

   empty

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

8. Give a word with the opposite meaning to loud.

   quiet

   This is one example of an opposite meaning. Think about how the word is used.

9. Give a word with the opposite meaning to anxious (adjective).

   calm, relaxed

   Feeling worried and nervous about something that might happen.

   Example: With the storm rolling in, Priya grew anxious about her dad's boat still out at sea.

10. Give a word with the opposite meaning to content (adjective).

    dissatisfied, restless

    Quietly happy and satisfied with the way things are.

    Example: Curled up by the fire with a purring cat on her lap, Gran seemed perfectly content.

11. Give a word with the opposite meaning to dread (noun).

    eagerness, confidence

    A strong feeling of fear about something that is going to happen.

    Example: A cold dread crept over Amir as the dentist's door creaked open and his name was called.

12. Give a word with the opposite meaning to envy (noun).

    contentment, goodwill

    An unhappy wish to have what someone else has.

    Example: Chloe gazed at her cousin's shiny new scooter with a pang of envy she tried to hide.

13. Give a word with the opposite meaning to furious (adjective).

    calm, pleased

    Extremely angry, often in a way that is hard to hide.

    Example: Dad was furious when he discovered the goat had eaten every lettuce on the allotment.

14. Give a word with the opposite meaning to grief (noun).

    delight, happiness

    Deep sadness, especially after someone or something is lost.

    Example: The whole village shared the farmer's grief when his faithful old sheepdog died.

15. Give a word with the opposite meaning to relief (noun).

    worry, distress

    A feeling of comfort after worry, pain or danger has passed.

    Example: Relief flooded through the whole family as the missing tortoise plodded out from under the shed.

16. Give a word with the opposite meaning to sulk (verb).

    cheer up, brighten

    To stay silent and grumpy because you are annoyed about something.

    Example: Rather than join the game, Leo chose to sulk in the corner with his arms folded.

17. Give a word with the opposite meaning to arrogant (adjective).

    modest, humble

    Behaving as if you are more important or clever than everyone else.

    Example: The arrogant new striker told everyone he was the only player on the team worth watching.

18. Give a word with the opposite meaning to loyalty (noun).

    betrayal, disloyalty

    Staying faithful to a person, team or promise through good times and bad.

    Example: Out of loyalty to her village team, Beth cheered even when they were losing six-nil.

19. Give a word with the opposite meaning to meddle (verb).

    keep out, refrain

    To interfere in something that is not your business.

    Example: Gran told us not to meddle in the neighbours' argument, but Josh marched over to give his opinion anyway.

20. Give a word with the opposite meaning to mischievous (adjective).

    well-behaved, obedient

    Fond of playing tricks and causing small amounts of trouble.

    Example: The mischievous kitten had unravelled the entire ball of wool across the landing by breakfast.

21. Give a word with the opposite meaning to patience (noun).

    impatience, restlessness

    The ability to wait calmly or put up with problems without complaining.

    Example: Fishing from the harbour wall takes patience, as the mackerel may not bite for an hour.

22. Give a word with the opposite meaning to pester (verb).

    ignore, leave alone

    To keep bothering or annoying someone, often by asking for something again and again.

    Example: The seagulls will pester anyone eating chips on the pier until every last one is gone.

23. Give a word with the opposite meaning to stubborn (adjective).

    compliant, open-minded

    Refusing to change your mind, even when others give good reasons.

    Example: Too stubborn to ask for help, Uncle Pete drove us around the same roundabout four times.

24. Give a word with the opposite meaning to tantrum (noun).

    composure, calm

    A sudden outburst of bad temper, usually by a young child.

    Example: The toddler threw a tantrum in the supermarket because the trolley had no seat for his teddy.

25. Give a word with the opposite meaning to charity (noun).

    meanness, selfishness

    Giving money, food or help to people who need it.

    Example: Every autumn the school collects tins for charity so that nobody in town goes hungry at Christmas.

26. Give a word with the opposite meaning to comfort (verb).

    upset, distress

    To make someone feel less sad or worried by being kind to them.

    Example: After the rabbit escaped, Grandma sat on the step to comfort Leah and dry her tears.

27. Give a word with the opposite meaning to donate (verb).

    keep, withhold

    To give something, such as money or clothes, to help a good cause.

    Example: Please donate any outgrown wellies to the box in the porch for the nursery children.

28. Give a word with the opposite meaning to generous (adjective).

    mean, stingy, selfish

    Happy to give more time, money or kindness than is expected.

    Example: A generous neighbour left a whole box of apples from her tree on our doorstep.

29. Give a word with the opposite meaning to rely (verb).

    distrust, doubt

    To depend on someone or something to do what is needed.

    Example: Islanders rely on the little ferry to bring their post, milk and newspapers across each morning.

30. Give a word with the opposite meaning to sacrifice (noun).

    keeping

    Giving up something you value in order to help someone else.

    Example: Missing the cup final to look after his little sister was a real sacrifice for Marcus.

31. Give a word with the opposite meaning to sympathy (noun).

    indifference, coldness

    A feeling of care and sorrow for someone who is having a hard time.

    Example: The postman had real sympathy for Mrs Kaur, stopping to carry her shopping up the steps.

32. Give a word with the opposite meaning to volunteer (verb).

    refuse, shirk

    To offer to do a job freely, without being made to or paid for it.

    Example: Half the class chose to volunteer at the beach clean, filling twelve sacks with litter by lunchtime.