en·e·my
Pronounced:
/ˈɛnəmi/
Function:
nounInflected forms:
plural en·e·miesMeaning:
[count] 1 : someone who hates another : someone who attacks or tries to harm another ▪ They are sworn/bitter enemies. ▪ He made a lot of enemies during the course of his career. ◊If you are your own worst enemy you act in a way that causes harm to yourself or to the people or things that you care about.
2 : something that harms or threatens someone or something ▪ Tradition is the enemy of progress. ▪ In many countries today, drug abuse is public enemy number one. [=the most dangerous threat to society]
3 a : a group of people (such as a nation) against whom another group is fighting a war —usually singular ▪ Some of the soldiers went over to the enemy. ▪ He found himself behind enemy lines. ▪ The plane was shot down by enemy fire. b : a military force, a ship, or a person belonging to the other side in a war —usually singular ▪ They targeted the enemy at close range.
2 : something that harms or threatens someone or something ▪ Tradition is the enemy of progress. ▪ In many countries today, drug abuse is public enemy number one. [=the most dangerous threat to society]
3 a : a group of people (such as a nation) against whom another group is fighting a war —usually singular ▪ Some of the soldiers went over to the enemy. ▪ He found himself behind enemy lines. ▪ The plane was shot down by enemy fire. b : a military force, a ship, or a person belonging to the other side in a war —usually singular ▪ They targeted the enemy at close range.