What does anti mean?
Anti is an informal English word meaning a person who is opposed to something — a plan, a policy, a team, or an idea. It most often appears as a noun ('the antis were out in force at the rally') and occasionally as a loose adjective ('I'm completely anti on that'). It is typically used in contrast with its counterpart 'pro', which denotes a supporter, making the pair a handy shorthand for framing debates over controversial issues. The word carries a conversational, sometimes slightly partisan tone, so it suits journalism, everyday speech, and informal argument more than formal academic prose, where writers usually prefer phrases like 'opponents of'. What makes anti especially interesting is its pedigree: it comes directly from the ancient Greek preposition anti, meaning 'against' or 'opposite', which also powers hundreds of established compounds such as antipathy, antidote, and antithesis. Knowing anti therefore connects a simple modern shorthand for opposition to one of the most productive roots in the English language.
An opponent of something; a person who is against a proposal, policy, or movement.
"The letter was signed by twelve antis from the local community."
Informal; frequently paired with 'pro' in discussions of contentious issues.
Opposed to; against (informal).
"She's always been anti about building on the green belt."
Conversational register; in formal contexts write 'opposed to' instead.
Standard plural for the noun; used when referring to a group of opponents.
"The pros and antis finally agreed to meet."
Every 'anti-' word you know — antibiotic, antivirus, Antarctica — traces back to one tiny Greek word that simply meant 'against'.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of anti
Anti derives from the ancient Greek preposition 'anti', meaning 'against', 'opposite', or 'in place of'. Greek used it both independently and as a prefix, and Latin borrowed it, from which it passed into English. As a prefix it became enormously productive in English (antidote, antipathy, antithesis), while the standalone word — a person who is against something — emerged later as an informal shortening of prefixed forms like 'anti-reformer', becoming well established by the nineteenth century.
How anti is actually used
Informal register throughout; in formal writing, prefer constructions like 'opponents of' or 'those opposed to'. The noun is common in British English especially in political and sporting contexts ('the antis'). The adjectival use ('she's anti') is casual and conversational.
Easily confused with anti
'Ante' means a stake paid before a game begins (or 'before' in Latin-derived phrases like ante meridiem), while 'anti' means opposed to or against something.
'Auntie' is an affectionate term for an aunt and sounds nearly identical to 'anti', but carries no sense of opposition.