English Reference

Word

abhor

Phoneticsab·hor, stress on the second syllable

US/æbˈhɔɹ/

UK/ɐbhˈɔː/

Definition

v. to feel a very strong dislike for something or someone. You use this when you think something is so bad that it makes you sick.

v. to regard with intense dislike or hatred; to find something deeply offensive or repulsive.

Examples

“He abhors any form of violence.”

“The committee members abhor the idea of cutting funding for public libraries.”

“A true philosopher abhors the simplistic reduction of complex human behavior to mere biological impulses, preferring instead to explore the nuances of the mind.”

Examples

simple

“He abhors any form of violence.”

contextual

“The committee members abhor the idea of cutting funding for public libraries.”

complex

“A true philosopher abhors the simplistic reduction of complex human behavior to mere biological impulses, preferring instead to explore the nuances of the mind.”

Etymology

First attested in 1449, from Middle English abhorren, borrowed from Middle French abhorrer, from Latin abhorreō (“shrink away from in horror”), from ab- (“from”) + horreō (“stand aghast, bristle with fear”).

Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Word family

VERB

abhor(C1)

ADJECTIVE

Idioms

This entry

Exam level
CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C1 AdvancedIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.7.0–8.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 5.0–5.595–113TOEICTOEICTest of English for International CommunicationETS's workplace English test, big in Japan and Korea. Listening & Reading scores 10–990 and tops out at C1.945–990
Frequency
Occasional
Level
C1 · Advanced
Updated

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English Reference