The English language has so many words and grammar rules that make it unique. Growing up taking English classes, kids are taught the basics like synonyms (words with the same or similar meaning), antonyms (words with opposite meanings), and idioms (a phrase or expression whose meaning cannot be deduced from the literal meaning of its words). But there is another grammar term to describe words and their meaning that you might have missed during your school years: contronyms. As defined by Merriam Webster, a contronym is "is a word that is its own opposite—like 'fast', which can describe both quick movement, and lack of movement."Contronyms are referred to as 'Janus words' after the Roman God Janus who is depicted with a double faced head, notes Britannica—a fitting symbol for contronyms that have double and opposite meanings within one singular word. @iamthatenglishteacher Have you ever heard of contronym? They’re words that contradict themselves depending on context or form! I introduced my students to this fascinating concept by listing words like ‘fine’ (meaning both ‘good’ and ‘a penalty’) and ‘backup’ (as one word vs. two words). My students guessed terms like #synonym, #antonym, and #homonym but were shocked to discover a new category: contradicts! Watch to learn more about this mind-blowing language quirk and see how I made this lesson fun and engaging for my class! #contranym #FunWithWords #GrammarLesson #grammar #LanguageLearning #Antonym #MiddleSchoolTeacher #ESLLesson #WordPlay #EnglishTeacher #CreativeTeaching #ViralLesson #WordOfTheDay #English #HomonymVsAntonym #GrammarFun #TeachersOfTikTok #EducationalContent Contronyms are words that have "developed contradictory meanings," and continue to make English a complex and mind-blowing language to speak and learn. As one person noted in an Reddit subforum r/words,, "And this is what makes English as a second language so challenging. That, and idioms."These are 26 contronyms you should know for your next grammar challenge or discussion.DustDust: To sprinkle fine particlesDust: To remove fine particlesModelModel: An excellent exampleModel: A copyBuckle Buckle: To fasten something with a buckleBuckle: To collapse from pressurePuzzlePuzzle: A problem Puzzle: Trying to solve a problemTripTrip: To go to a place Trip: To stumble or fallLeaseLease: To rent a property Lease: To make property available for rentHandicapHandicap: An advantage provided to ensure equality Handicap: A disadvantage that prevents equal treatmentOverlookOverlook: To supervise Overlook: To neglect - YouTube www.youtube.com Clip Clip: To attach something with a clipClip: To remove somethingStrike Strike: To hit Strike: To miss hitting somethingGarnishGarnish: to enhance (as in food)Garnish: to reduce (as in wages)Wind up Wind up: To come to a conclusion Wind up: To start somethingCleaveCleave: To split Cleave: To adhereBoltBolt: To secure something using a boltBolt: To run awayTrim Trim: To decorate Trim: To take off excessRentRent: To pay for the use of something Rent: To accept payment for the use of somethingFineFine: Of excellent quality Fine: Acceptable or good enough See on Instagram BillBill: Money Bill: An invoice for paymentSanctionSanction: To approve Sanction: To boycottCustomCustom: A common practiceCustom: A special treatmentFast Fast: Secured in one placeFast: Moving quicklyWeather Weather: To withstand Weather: To slowly deteriorateRockRock: A shaking or unsettling movement Rock: Something that projects strength and serenityOut Out: Visible, as with stars showing in the sky Out: Invisible, in reference to lightsLeftLeft: The state of having departed Left: What remains after something or someone is removedFirst degree First degree: Most severe in the case of a murder chargeFirst degree: Least severe in reference to a burn