The word "antonym" refers to a word that has an opposite meaning to another word. For example, the antonym of "hot" is "cold." Antonyms help to convey contrast and can enhance understanding in language by highlighting differences.
The term "antonym" is derived from the Greek word "antōnymon," which is a combination of "anti-" meaning "against" or "opposite," and "onoma" meaning "name." Therefore, the term literally means "opposite name."