What is the Latin word for enemy?

The usual Latin words for “enemy” are hostis, inimīcus, īnfēnsus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

English → Latin

“enemy” in Latin

hostisan enemy of the state, an enemy, a hostile, opponent, foe; the enemy inimīcusenemy, foe (someone who is hostile to, feels hatred towards, opposes the interests of, or intends injury to someone else īnfēnsushostile, inimical, aggressive; enraged; dangerous

The English word enemy itself goes back to Latin amō, through inimīcus.

Riddle & Arnold A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon, 1864

enemy

hostis (the enemy in the field, and war, opposed to to pacatus; πολέμιος): inimicus (an enemy in heart, opposed toto amicus; ἐχθρός). (The words are found in this connection and order.) inimicus atque hostis: hostis atque inimicus. Anybody’s enemy, inimicus alicui or alicujus. A dangerous enemy, inimicus infestus: a bitter enemy, hostis (inimicus) infensus: a deadly enemy, hostis (inimicus, adversarius) capitalis: to behave as an enemy, hostiliter facere: to make anybody an enemy, aliquem hostem, or inimicum reddere, or facere; inimicitias alicujus suscipere: to engage with the enemy, cum hoste confligere (Cic.). To be one’s own enemy, sibi esse inimicum atque hostem (to hate one’s self; Cic., Fin., 5, 10, 29); suis rationibus esse inimicum (to act against one’s own interests). A man is his own greatest enemy, nihil inimicius homini, quam sibi ipse. To be anybody’s enemy; Vid: “to be at ENMITY” with anybody. An enemy’s country, hostium terra: hostilis terra or regio (whose conduct or sentiments are hostile).

Quick answer

What is the Latin word for enemy?: The usual Latin words for “enemy” are hostis, inimīcus, īnfēnsus. The right choice depends on the sense; see the distinctions below.

Entry from J. E. Riddle & T. K. Arnold, A Copious and Critical English–Latin Lexicon (rev. C. Anthon, New York: Harper, 1864), digitised by Fergus J. P. Walsh, CC BY-SA 4.0; Latin markup adapted by latindictionary.co.