invert

1 of 2

verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

inverted; inverting

transitive verb

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

4

: to reincorporate (a company) as a new entity in a foreign country : to put (a company) through the process of inversion (see inversion sense 6)

Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have questioned the patriotism of corporate executives who elect to invert their companies.

—Stephen Ohlemacher

invert

2 of 2

noun

in·​vert ˈin-ˌvərt 

: one characterized by inversion

Synonyms

Verb

• flip
• reverse
• turn over

Choose the Right Synonym for invert

reverse, transpose, invert mean to change to the opposite position.

reverse is the most general term and may imply change in order, side, direction, meaning.

reversed his position on the trade agreement

transpose implies a change in order or relative position of units often through exchange of position.

transposed the letters to form an anagram

invert applies chiefly to turning upside down or inside out.

the number 9 looks like an inverted 6

Examples of invert in a Sentence

Verb

The lens inverts the image.

The number 9 looks like an inverted 6.

invert the order of two words in a sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Verb

In 2012, Tea Party followers inverted flags at their homes to signal disgust at the re-election of President Barack Obama. —Jodi Kantor, New York Times, 16 May 2024

Denver proved its toughness and inverted the chemical balance of this series. —Bennett Durando, The Denver Post, 11 May 2024

For easy pizza assembly, invert another baking sheet on the counter and cover the underside with parchment paper (for baking). —Bhg Test Kitchen, Better Homes & Gardens, 6 May 2024

The symbols are an upside down V with a period over the apex for one pin, two inverted Vs (like two mountains), each with a period on the apex for two pins and three inverted Vs with periods over the apex for three pins. —Bahar Anooshahr, The Arizona Republic, 2 May 2024

Or invert melon rinds and place in your garden as traps for snails and slugs. —Jane Scurich, The Mercury News, 22 Apr. 2024

Andrew Unterberger: To invert a Garth Brooks title from 30-plus years ago — in a way that may not make all that much sense in actual poker terms — Beyoncé has a full house, working on four of a kind. —Rania Aniftos, Billboard, 27 Feb. 2024

For younger babies, inverted zippers or double zippers are best for late night diaper changes. —Jessica Booth, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024

The three-row necklace highlighted two enormous diamonds—a 17.04 carat inverted pear-cut, and an 18.88 carat oval. —Hannah Jackson, Vogue, 11 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Latin invertere, from in- + vertere to turn — more at worth

First Known Use

Verb

1533, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun

1827, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing invert

• invert sugar

Kids Definition

invert

verb

in·​vert

in-ˈvərt

1

: to reverse the position, order, or relationship of

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

3

: to find the mathematical reciprocal of

to divide using fractions, invert the divisor and multiply

Medical Definition

invert

transitive verb

in·​vert in-ˈvərt 

1

a

: to reverse in position, order, or relationship

adjacent sequences of DNA and RNA that are complementary and inverted

b

: to subject to inversion

2

a

: to turn inside out or upside down

b

: to turn inward

when a foot is inverted its forepart tends to approach the midline of the body

—The Journal of the American Medical Association

intransitive verb

: to undergo inversion

a normal nipple that inverts later in life can be an ominous sign

—P. G. Donohue