English Reference
Noun

hatred

n. uncountable
C1 Advanced Oxford US /ˈheɪtɹəd/ UK /hˈeɪtɹɪd/ ha·tred UK spelling hatreds

n.an extremely strong feeling of not liking someone or something. It is much more powerful than just being annoyed or angry.

n.an intense and enduring emotional aversion or extreme dislike toward a person, group, or concept.


SIMPLE

He felt a deep hatred for the person who lied to him.

CONTEXTUAL

The long-standing conflict between the two families was fueled by generations of mutual hatred and distrust.

COMPLEX

Historians argue that the systemic hatred propagated by the regime was a calculated tool used to unify the populace against a common internal enemy.

Usage

Primarily uncountable; however, it can be used as a countable noun when referring to specific types or instances of the emotion.

Cohen then criticized people who think “holding on to hatred is a sign of strength”.

The Guardian· 21 Aug 2026

The Tricontinental movement was not a tool used by Cuba to “express hatred of the United States,” as argued by the Trump administration’s Cuba report.

The Conversation· 25 Aug 2026

From Middle English haterede, hatrede (“hatred”), from hate (“hate”) + -rede (“suffix denoting state or condition”), equivalent to hate + -red; compare sibred, Scots luferent. Related to Icelandic hatur (“hatred”).

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

This entry
Origin Middle English haterede
Level C1 · Advanced
Frequency Common
Updated