inverse

1 of 2

adjective

in·​verse (ˌ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-ˌvərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

2

: being an inverse function

inverse sine

inverse

2 of 2

noun

1

: something of a contrary nature or quality : opposite, reverse

2

: a proposition or theorem formed by contradicting both the subject and predicate or both the hypothesis and conclusion of a given proposition or theorem

the inverse of "if A then B" is "if not-A then not-B"

compare contrapositive

3

a

: inverse function

also : an operation (such as subtraction) that undoes the effect of another operation

b

: a set element that is related to another element in such a way that the result of applying a given binary operation to them is an identity element of the set

Examples of inverse in a Sentence

Adjective

Addition and subtraction are inverse operations.

Noun

the inverse of your argument

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Therefore, the next step is for the stock to continue building on the breakout attempt from the inverse head and shoulders pattern discussed earlier. —Frank Cappelleri, CNBC, 3 June 2026

Another finding of the study was the inverse correlation between zinc uptake in the stinger and the claws. —Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 1 May 2026

Noun

Alzarka notes the inverse is also true — stress itself makes workouts harder to start. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 13 June 2026

More than half are leveraged or inverse products designed to amplify the stock's daily moves or profit from share price declines. —Ashley Capoot,cj Haddad,samantha Subin,lora Kolodny, CNBC, 12 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

Middle English, turned upside down, from Latin inversus, from past participle of invertere

First Known Use

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun

1658, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing inverse

• additive inverse
• inverse function
• inverse square law
• inverse variation
• multiplicative inverse

Rhymes for inverse

• adverse
• averse
• coerce
• disburse
• disperse
• diverse
• immerse
• obverse
• perverse
• rehearse
• reverse
• transverse

Kids Definition

inverse

1 of 2 adjective

in·​verse (ˈ)in-ˈvərs 

ˈin-vərs

1

: opposite in order, nature, or effect

an inverse relationship between interest rates and houses sold

2

: being a mathematical operation opposite in effect to another

addition and subtraction are inverse operations

inverse

2 of 2 noun

in·​verse

ˈin-ˌvərs, 

(ˈ)in-ˈvərs

: something inverse or resulting in or from inversion