ENGLISH
REFERENCE

hated

adj.
US //ˈheɪtəd// UK //hˈeɪtɪd// hat·ed
  1. 1 strongly disliked (adj.)
    B2 Upper Intermediate

    describes someone or something that people dislike very much.

    describing a person, group, or entity that is the object of widespread or intense detestation.

    Example

    The hated tax was finally removed after many people complained to the government.

    Example

    The dictator remained a hated figure long after his regime had been dismantled by the revolutionary forces.

Origin

From Middle English hated, from Old English hatod, ġehatod (“hated”, past participle), from Proto-Germanic *hatadaz (“hated”), equivalent to hate + -ed. Cognate with Saterland Frisian haated, hoated (“hated”), Dutch gehaat (“hated”), German Low German haat (“hated”), German gehasst (“hated”), Swedish hatad (“hated”), Icelandic hataður (“hated”).

© 2026 English Reference