Which of the following describes antonyms?

Which of the following describes antonyms?

• A. Big and small
• B. Aunt and uncle
• C. Blue and green
• D. Hot and cold

Answer: (A)

Antonyms are word pairs with opposite meanings. Big and small show opposite meanings for size: one describes something large, the other something not large. They clearly oppose each other in meaning, which is what antonyms are. Aunt and uncle aren’t opposites—they’re different family roles. Blue and green are distinct colors and aren’t opposites. Hot and cold are opposites too, but this item uses size as a simple, familiar example of antonyms, making big and small a clear illustration of the concept.

Antonyms are word pairs with opposite meanings. Big and small show opposite meanings for size: one describes something large, the other something not large. They clearly oppose each other in meaning, which is what antonyms are.

Aunt and uncle aren’t opposites—they’re different family roles. Blue and green are distinct colors and aren’t opposites. Hot and cold are opposites too, but this item uses size as a simple, familiar example of antonyms, making big and small a clear illustration of the concept.