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

The May 10 lottery determines only the top four picks, with the other nonplayoff teams picking in inverse order of record. —Barry Jackson, Miami Herald, 30 Mar. 2026

Playoff teams will select three through six based on the inverse order of the regular-season standings. —Hailey Salvian, New York Times, 11 Mar. 2026

Noun

But the last few weeks have shown that the gloomier inverse is also true. —Liz Hoffman, semafor.com, 9 Apr. 2026

That suspect is the reclusive polymath Nick Szabo who ticks all of the same boxes as Back and whose initials are conveniently the inverse of Satoshi Nakamoto. —Jeff John Roberts, Fortune, 8 Apr. 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