# hate

/ˈheɪt/ (US) · /hˈeɪt/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/hate
Updated: 2026-06-19

## Senses

### 1. to dislike intensely

verb · CEFR A2

to dislike someone or something very much.

For teachers: to feel intense hostility or aversion toward a person, object, or situation. Transitive — requires a direct object or a gerund.

- I hate getting up early when it is still dark outside.
- Many residents hate the new traffic system because it significantly increases their daily commute through the city centre.

### 2. the feeling of hatred

noun · CEFR B1

a very strong feeling of dislike or anger.

For teachers: an intense feeling of dislike or hostility. Often uncountable when referring to the emotion in general.

- The two countries have a long history of hate and conflict.
- The speech was filled with hate, further dividing a community that was already struggling with social tension.

### 3. online abuse

noun · CEFR B2 · Informal · Slang

mean or angry comments sent to someone on the internet.

For teachers: negative feedback, harassment, or abusive behaviour directed at a person or group online. Often used metonymically in digital contexts.

- She decided to delete her social media account after receiving so much hate.
- The athlete faced a wave of online hate following the team's unexpected loss in the championship final.

### 4. something you dislike

noun · CEFR B2

a person or thing that you dislike very much.

For teachers: a person or thing that is the object of intense dislike. Often used in the phrase 'pet hate' in British English.

- Loud chewing is my biggest pet hate when I am trying to eat.
- The politician became a figure of hate for those who felt betrayed by the sudden change in policy.

### 5. to criticize unfairly

verb · CEFR C1 · Informal · Slang

to say mean things about someone, often because you are jealous.

For teachers: to express unmerited or excessive criticism toward someone. Frequently appears in the phrasal verb 'hate on'.

- Don't hate on him just because he won the prize.
- Critics began to hate on the director's new style, claiming it was too commercial compared to her earlier work.

Usage: Often used as the phrasal verb 'hate on' followed by a person or thing.

## Examples

- His heart is full of hate.
- The politician's speech was full of hate and encouraged violence against minority groups.
- She realized her intense dislike was not simple anger but a deep-seated hate that had been growing for years, poisoning her every thought.

---

From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.