Word Antonymy

In each pair of the above list, each word excludes the other.

• That is, if one is alive, he can’t be dead, and if one is dead, he can’t be alive.
• Also, The one who sells is not the one who buys at the same time.
• Further, if something is hot, it can’t be cold at the same time.
• Finally, whatever north cannot be east at the same time and so on with the other pairs.

The sense relation between the two words of each previous pair is the relation of antonymy. i.e. oppositeness or at least dissimilarity. (Also, check my Essay on Lexical  Relations).

In part 1 of this essay, the following types of antonymy will be discussed:

• Binary
• Converse
• Gradable
• Perpendicular
• Extensional

Binary

Binary antonyms are words that have two opposite meanings, such as "hot" and "cold". It is worth mentioning that “binary antonyms”  are sometimes called “ real antonyms”, “complementary antonyms”, or extreme antonyms.”

Features of binary antonyms

1. No third Alternative

If one is alive, he is not dead.
If one is single, he is not married.

2. Ungradable

degree words are not allowed, such as very, extremely,  rather, fairly etc.

We can’t say ( * very dead, *very married, *rather male)

Converse

The two words of each pair are associated. No one can exist without the other. For instance, there is no selling without buying, no father without a son, and no husband without a wife. 

If selling occurs, buying occurs at the same time.

Examples of Converse Antonyms:

• sell, buy
• teach, learn
• father, son
• give, receive

Gradable

Each pair can be represented by a scale of two extremes, allowing degrees in- between.

example: Hot --- Warm -- Cold

Also, each word is gradable, we can say (fairly beautiful, very beautiful or extremely beautiful).

example: (beautiful ) fairly beautiful very beautiful extremely beautiful.

Examples of Gradable Antonymy

• easy, difficult
• cold, hot
• clever, stupid
• beautiful, ugly

Binary antonymy vs. Gradable Antonymy

Gradable antonymy allows gradability, whereas the binary one doesn’t.  

We can say: very hot, but we can’t say: *very married. 

Perpendicular

The words that refer to directions. Each word in each pair refers to a direction perpendicular to the other direction.

example: the north is perpendicular to the east and west. Also, the  south is perpendicular to the east and west.

The words that refer to directions. Each word in each pair refers to a direction perpendicular to the other direction.

Extensional

The north is an extension of the south because both lie on the same extended line, unlike north and west. Notice that perpendicular and extensional antonyms are related to directions. They are called directional antonymy.

Examples of Extensional Antonymy

• north, south
• east, west
• right, left
• up, down

In conclusion, the five types of antonyms discussed in this essay—binary, converse, gradable, perpendicular, and extensional—demonstrate the diverse and nuanced nature of opposition in language. Further, understanding of the different types of antonyms can help us communicate more effectively and to better understand the nuances of language. By learning about the different ways that words can be opposite, we can better appreciate the richness and complexity of the English language. (see my essay about
Leech’s Seven Types of Meaning).

References

• Hurford, J., B. Heasley and M. Smith (2007) Semantics: a coursebook (2nd edition) Cambridge University Press
• George Yule (2014) The Study of Language (5th edition) Cambridge University Press
• Alkhuli, M.A., An Introduction to Semantics ( 2008) Dar AlFalah, Jordan