Opposites Simple Antonyms
An antonym is a word that means the opposite of another word, such as 'hot' and 'cold', or 'happy' and 'sad'. In Year 2, pupils learn to recognise and use simple antonyms to build their vocabulary and to make their writing more precise by choosing the word with exactly the right meaning.
Before you start
Make sure you're comfortable with these topics first:
Method
- Read the given word carefully and think about what it means.
- Ask what word means the complete opposite of that meaning.
- Check the opposite word makes sense by using it in a sentence.
- Make sure the antonym is the same type of word, such as swapping an adjective for another adjective.
- Build a bank of common antonym pairs, such as 'big/small' or 'fast/slow', to use in writing.
Worked example
Find the antonym of 'happy' and use it in a sentence.
- Think about what 'happy' means: feeling pleased or joyful.
- Think of a word with the opposite meaning: 'sad'.
- Check 'sad' is the same word type as 'happy' (both adjectives).
- Use it in a sentence: 'After losing the game, he felt sad.'
- Final answer: the antonym of 'happy' is 'sad'.
Practice questions
Try each question, then tap to reveal the answer.
Exam-style questions
Written in the style of a English exam paper, with a full mark scheme.
Give the antonym of each word: 'up' and 'wet'.
Write three sentences, each using a different pair of antonyms to describe the weather (for example hot/cold, wet/dry, light/dark).
Read the sentence: 'At the start of the story the forest was quiet, but by the end it was loud with cheering.' Identify the pair of antonyms used in the sentence, explain what effect they have on the reader's understanding of the story, and write one more sentence of your own using a different pair of antonyms to show a change.
Free printable worksheet
Want more practice on paper? Download the opposites simple antonyms worksheet pack - 8 pages of exam-style questions with a full mark scheme. No sign-up, no email wall - just the PDF, free for personal and classroom use.
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