Question

Choose the word which is closest to the opposite in meaning to the italicized word.
I feel at home in the hostel but __________ in my house.

a)Unwelcome
b)Unhappy
c)Unpleasant
d)Ill at ease

Answer 1

Hint: We use ‘but’ in a sentence to connect two statements that contrast or contradict each other in some way.

Complete step-by-step answer:

To ‘feel at home’ refers to feeling or being relaxed or comfortable in a particular place or situation.
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question:
Option (a.), 'unwelcome', refers to not being received gladly; not wanted. Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as it is not antonymous to the phrase ‘feel at home’.

Option (b.), ‘unhappy', refers to not being happy; sad. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not antonymous to the phrase ‘feel at home’.

Option (c.), ‘unpleasant', refers to causing discomfort, unhappiness, or revulsion. Therefore, option (c.) is incorrect as it is not antonymous to the phrase ‘feel at home’.

These words do not suit the given expression. Hence options (a.), (b.) and (c.) are wrong.

Option (d.), ‘ill at ease', refers to being uncomfortable, which is the opposite of feeling comfortable or the phrase ‘feel at home’. Hence, option (d.) is correct.

Note: Do not get confused between ‘unhappy’ and ‘ill at ease’. ‘Unhappy’ is the antonym of feeling ‘happy’, whereas ‘ill at ease’ is the antonym of ‘comfortable’.