hateful
/ˈheɪtfəl/
Proposed by a contributor, not yet supported by evidence.
Also seen as: hatefuller · hatefullest
Sense 1
Meaning · English
Evoking a feeling of hatred.
Adjective
Examples
1935, Somerset Maugham, "The Voice of the Turtle." « She was hateful, of course, but she was irresistible. »
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Sense 2
Meaning · English
Dislikeable.
Adjective
Examples
Home I vvould go, / But that my Dores are hatefull to my eyes. / Fill'd and damm'd up vvith gaping Creditors, / VVatchfull as Fovvlers vvhen their Game vvill ſpring; […]
Usage example from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01)
Sources & notes
Adapted from English Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 4.0, retrieved 2026-08-01 via kaikki.org).
Common questions
What does “hateful” mean?
Evoking a feeling of hatred.
Is “hateful” formal or informal?
No register label has been reviewed yet — treat it as neutral and check the usage notes above.