Langimage
English

dystopia

|dys/to/pi/a|

C1

🇺🇸

/dɪsˈtoʊpiə/

🇬🇧

/dɪsˈtəʊpiə/

imagined bad society

Etymology
Etymology Information

'dystopia' originates from Greek, specifically the word 'dys-' meaning 'bad' and 'topos' meaning 'place'.

Historical Evolution

'dystopia' was coined in the late 19th century as a counterpart to 'utopia', combining 'dys-' with 'topia'.

Meaning Changes

Initially, it meant 'a bad place', but over time it evolved into its current meaning of 'an imagined society with great suffering or injustice'.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Noun 1

an imagined state or society in which there is great suffering or injustice, typically one that is totalitarian or post-apocalyptic.

The novel depicts a dystopia where freedom is a distant memory.

Synonyms

Antonyms

Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:39