an armed adversary (especially a member of an opposing military force)
"a soldier must be prepared to kill his enemies"
Someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else.
"When he discovered that his rival was secretly sabotaging his business plans, he realized they had become a true enemy rather than just a competitor."
In plain English: An enemy is someone you really dislike and want to fight against.
"The two soccer teams are fierce enemies, but they always respect each other on the field."
Usage: Use "enemy" to describe a person or group that actively opposes you through hostility, hatred, or intentional harm. Avoid using it for mere disagreement or competition, as the word implies a deeper level of antagonism and ill will.
To make an enemy of.
"By refusing to help her move, he made an enemy of his new neighbor."
In plain English: To be an enemy is to act as an opponent against someone else.
"The cold weather began to enemy the plants that had been left out in the garden all winter."
Usage: As a transitive verb, to enemy someone means to actively turn them against you or create hostility in their favor. This usage is rare and often sounds awkward, so it is usually better to use phrases like "make an enemy of" instead.
The word "enemy" comes from the Latin inimicus, formed by combining "not" and "friend," to describe someone who is an adversary rather than a companion. It entered Middle English through Old French, eventually replacing the native Germanic term fend (which survives today as "fiend") while retaining its original sense of hostility.