enemy

noun countable

UK /ˈenəmi/

Word Forms

singular	enemy
plural	enemies

1
someone who is opposed to someone else and tries to do them harm
He must hide from his enemies while he is weak.
enemy of:
They had been labelled enemies of the state.
make an enemy of someone:
Worst of all is to make an enemy of the Minister.
make enemies:
It’s easy to make enemies in a job like this.
a mortal enemy (=someone who will always be your enemy):
She looked at her husband as if he were her mortal enemy.
a political enemy:
They searched for information on political enemies.
Synonyms and related words
Enemies and describing enemies
enemy
opponent
adversary
1. 1a
  a country that is fighting another country in a war: can be followed by a singular or plural verb
  We must be ready to resist an assault by sea from this country’s enemies.
  the enemy:
  He had to discourage the enemy from attempting to attack his position.
  Synonyms and related words
  Fighting in a war and relating to fighting in a war
  action stations
  active duty
  active service
2. 1b
  relating to a country’s enemy
  enemy attack/troops/aircraft/forces etc:
  The Serbs were determined to halt the enemy attacks.
  Over three hundred enemy aircraft were destroyed.
  Synonyms and related words
  Fighting in a war and relating to fighting in a war
  action stations
  active duty
  active service
3. 1c
  something that harms or threatens someone or something
  enemy of:
  Cigarette smoke is the undoubted enemy of a clear fresh complexion.
  Synonyms and related words
  People and things that cause worry or problems
  a bone of contention
  a hostage to fortune
  a nail in the coffin

phrases

public enemy number one

enemy ​‌‌‌

enemy ​‌‌‌

enemy

enemy