What is an antonym?

An antonym is defined as a word that means the opposite of another word. This concept is fundamental in understanding language, as antonyms enrich vocabulary and enhance effective communication. For example, the word "hot" has the antonym "cold," showing how antonyms can contrast meanings. In linguistic terms, recognizing antonyms allows individuals to express a broader range of thoughts and sentiments, providing clarity and depth to conversations and writing. The other options describe different types of relationships between words, such as synonyms (similar meanings), homophones (similar sounds), and loanwords (derived from other languages), but they do not encapsulate the definition of an antonym.