Question

Select the word which has the opposite meaning of the given word:
Otiose
 a. Broad minded
b. Quick - witted
c. Useful
d. Prominent

Answer 1

Hint: The student should go through the options provided carefully and try to recall each of their meanings. Then the option which is the most opposite in meaning to the given word in question should be selected.

Complete answer:
Antonyms are those words that express meaning as opposed to the meaning of another word, in which case the two words are antonyms of each other.

In the given question, the word ‘otiose’ refers to ‘serving no useful purpose; having no excuse for being.’
Let us analyze the options given to us in this question-
Option (a.), 'Broad minded', refers to ‘inclined to respect views and beliefs that differ from your own’. Therefore, option (a.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘otiose’.
Option (b.), ‘Quick - witted', refers to ‘mentally nimble and resourceful’.
Therefore, option (b.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘otiose’.
Option (c.), ‘Useful', refers to ‘being of use or service’.
Therefore, option (c.) is correct as its meaning is antonymous to that of the given word ‘otiose’.
Option (d.), ‘Prominent', refers to ‘having a quality that thrusts itself into attention’.
Therefore, option (d.) is incorrect as its meaning is not antonymous to that of the given word ‘otiose’.

Note:
Sometimes the given options in a question where we have to find the opposite of the given word do not exactly mean the opposite of the given word. If this happens, we have to select the option which is the most antonym to the meaning of the word in the question.