Even though the Grammarnatrix has been on sabbatical, she has received many grammar inquiries from Insider readers. Her next few articles will address these inquiries. One query read, “I have a Grammarnatrix question from a flummoxed fan: why is it that the words reiterate and iterate and ravel and unravel mean the same thing?”
The Grammarnatrix, hating to admit she was flummoxed herself, delved into research and came up with the most marvelous finding. These words mean the same thing because they belong to a group of words called “antiautonyms.” They are two words which appear opposite in meaning yet mean the same thing; the concept is rather hard to wrap your mind around!
The words reiterate and iterate seem to create controversial discussions wherever they land! Reiterate is most commonly heard in everyday speech and – according to the Oxford English Dictionary – came first. Both mean to perform again or repeat something. Some say iterate is designated for math and computer programming and others say you would use reiterate only if you actually were iterating again, for a second/third time! Honestly, it doesn’t matter which one you use; pick and choose and hold your head high. Ravel and unravel both mean to undo or separate. Some more examples of antiautonyms are: boned and deboned (having the bones removed), loosen and unloosen (to make loose), ebriate and inebriate (intoxicated), flammable and inflammable (likely to burn).
You can now release those flummoxed feelings and have fun using antiautonyms with your friends. They’ll think you have no idea what you’re talking about when you tell them, “I was able to ravel the rubberbands because I was not ebriated.” When they seem perplexed by your questionable language, smile with full certainty and iterate your sentence.
