- 1 to dislike something very much hate something I hate spinach. I hate Monday mornings. I hate it when people cry. He hated it in France (= did not like the life there). I hate the way she always criticizes me. hate doing something She hates making mistakes. I hate coming home late. hate to do something He hated to be away from his family. She's a person who hates to make mistakes. I hate to think what would have happened if you hadn't been there. hate somebody/something doing something He hates anyone parking in his space. hate somebody/something to do something She would have hated him to see how her hands shook. (informal) hate for somebody/something to do something I'd hate for anything to happen to him.
- 2
to dislike someone very much hate somebody/yourself The two boys hated each other. He was her most hated enemy. Sometimes I really hate him. hate somebody/yourself for something/for doing something I hated myself for feeling jealous.
- 3 [no passive] hate to do something used when saying something that you would prefer not to have to say, or when politely asking to do something I hate to say it, but I don't think their marriage will last. I hate to trouble you, but could I use your phone?
verb jump to other results
NAmE//heɪt//
(not used in the progressive tenses)Verb Forms present simple I / you / we / they hate he / she / it hates
past simple hated
noun I'm not a woman hater, I just don't like Joan. Thesaurushate
- dislike
- can't stand
- despise
- can't bear
- loathe
- detest
- hate to have a strong feeling of dislike for someone or something Although hate is generally a very strong verb, it is also commonly used in spoken or informal English to talk about people or things that you dislike in a less important way, for example a particular type of food:He hates violence in any form. I've always hated cabbage.
- dislike (somewhat formal) to not like someone or something Dislike is a somewhat formal word; it is less formal, and more usual, to say that you don't like someone or something, especially in spoken English:I don't like it when you call me so late at night.
- can't stand (somewhat informal) used to emphasize that you really do not like someone or something:I can't stand his brother. She couldn't stand to be kept waiting.
- despise to dislike and have no respect for someone or something:He despised himself for being so cowardly.
- can't bear used to say that you dislike something so much that you cannot accept or deal with it:I can't bear the thought of being without you.
- In many cases you can use either expression, but can't bear is stronger and more formal than can't stand.
- loathe (formal) to hate someone or something very much:They loathe each other. Loathe is generally an even stronger verb than hate, but it can also be used more informally to say that you “really don't like” something:I loathe country music.
- detest (somewhat formal) to hate someone or something very much:They absolutely detest each other.
- I hate/dislike/can't stand/can't bear/loathe/detest doing something
- I hate/can't stand to do something
- I hate/dislike/can't stand/can't bear it when…
- I really hate/dislike/can't stand/despise/can't bear/detest somebody/something
- I absolutely hate/can't stand/loathe/detest somebody/something
to dislike someone very muchSee hate in the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
Check pronunciation: hate