antivax
|an-ti-vax|
/ˌæn.tiˈvæks/
against vaccination
Etymology
'antivax' originates from a blend of the prefix 'anti-' from Greek 'anti' meaning 'against' and 'vax', a clipped form of 'vaccine' (from Latin 'vaccinus' from 'vacca' meaning 'cow').
'antivax' is a shortened/colloquial form that developed from 'anti-vaccine' (used throughout the 19th–20th centuries). Over recent decades 'anti-vaccine' was clipped in informal speech and writing to 'anti-vax' and then written as 'antivax' and related forms like 'anti-vaxxer'.
Initially the phrase 'anti-vaccine' simply described opposition to vaccines; over time, 'antivax' has come to label individuals, groups, and online movements and is often used as a pejorative term.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a person who is opposed to vaccination or vaccines.
Many antivax parents refuse routine vaccinations for their children.
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Noun 2
the ideology, movement, or social tendency characterized by opposition to vaccines or vaccination programs.
Antivax sentiment on social media contributed to lower vaccination rates in some areas.
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Adjective 1
opposed to vaccination; expressing or relating to opposition to vaccines.
Antivax groups organized protests against the new immunization policy.
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Last updated: 2025/11/27 12:18